The Rhondda Leader

Death of Wales' Oldest Preacher. Sixty-five years of Pulpit Life. A Prescher at Thirteen. Reminiscences of Great Debates. We have to announce the death of the Rev. D. T. Matthias, which took place on Tuesday afternoon at Nantymoel, after a long illness. The deceased, who was 80 years of age, resigned the pastorate of Horeb English Baptist Church about two years ago owing to failing-health, and in December, 1902, was presented with a purse of gold by the people of the place. He leaves a widow and two children. Sketch of His Career. The late Rev. D. T. Matthias was about the oldest preacher in Wales, his pulpit career having been contemporaneous with the whole period of reign of the late Queen Victoria. Born in the south part of Cardiganshire 80 years ago, his experience of men and matters was not limited to Wales. The early part of his life was spent in Cardigan- shire and Pembrokeshire. It was in Pem- brokeshire that he preached his first ser- mon when only 13 years of age, two years before the death of William IV. From that time until he reached 26, he frequently occupied the Wesleyan pulpit, but at this age he was baptised at Blaen- ffos, Pern., and a few months later was ordained at Narberth by the laying-on of the hands of the Presbytery. It may be said that one of the great characteristics of his life was his love of debate. He was in his element when arguing on some par- ticular topic. Even when in his teens, after having been preaching with the Wesleyans at Dihewid and other places in South Cardiganshire, where the Unitarians were exceedingly strong, young Matthias would often be engaged in a wordy war with them on the deity of Christ for hours together. He was from his earliest infancy inured to discussions and debates, and this characteristic pertained to him ever after. Indeed, these frequent meet- ings with the Unitarians were the ger- minal leaves to much of his later years. Life in England. The middle part of his life was chiefly spent in England. At Halifax, where he was Baptist minister for some years, his life was full of unceasing industry. His Christian service exceeded the limitations of his church, and not only did he preach to those who came under a roof to hear him Sunday after Sunday, but he went to the street corners where people congre- gated and there preached the Gospel in its full significance and importance. Ques- tions and discussion were allowed at the close, and Matthias, then in manhood's vigorous prime, had to contend with a good deal of hostility. But to experience1 plenty of opposition was his passion, and the Christian cause flourished like a green bay tree. His influence was felt in all that related to religious truth, and, having devoted all his efforts to that sacred end, many a Baptist Church nov.r stands at Halifax as monuments of his industry and steadfastness over 40 years ago. Here, too, he fought many a bitter Wordy Battle with Charles Bradlaugh, on theological questions. The preacher and Iconoclast were doughty champions, and they often met in combat upon the platform. Whenever Bradlaugh delivered a lecture at Halifax, where, by the way, the Secularists were an appreciable force, Matthias would cartainly be there, and at the end of the lecture would soon be in the thick of argument with the lecturer. These frequent contentions between the two culminated at last in a debate on the credibility and morality of the Four Gos- pels for five nights in succession. Such was the interest evinced, in it by the pub- lic, that even on the fifth evening there was no sign of jadedness on the part of the audience. A verbatim report of this debate was also printed and sold by the thousands. In the course of a few pre- fatory words by Iconoclast, he pays the compliment to his opponent that the free- dom of thought encouraged by him in his speeches was worthy of the highest com- mendation. Mr. Matthias was well versed in Christian lore. He only recently re- lated to a representative of the Rhondda Leader" how Bradlaugh frankly asked him one night after the close of a debate, how it was that he knew so much more of the early history of Christianity than any other man he had ever met. My reply was," said Mr. Matthias, "that when a young man, I worked at a farm- house for some time in Pembrokeshire, and the owner, who had thought of enter- ing the ministry, had a very rare collec- tion of books dealing on the early history of Christianity. However, it was I, and not the farmer, who entered the ministry, and these boons being free to me, I i.oon imbibed their invaluable contents." Politician and Editor. Not less busy was Mr. Matthias in other fields. His ideal of citizenship con- strained him to enter other domains than religion. He took during his life a special interest in politics. He occupied the Political Platform. with three Cabinet ministers—Mundella, John Morley, and Joseph Chamberlain; also with Stansfield, Sir W. Lawson, Parnell, Biggar, and O'Connor. He was a Home Ruler long before the Bill came on in Parliament. It was he who first helped the Home Rulers in North Stafford- shire. He loved the land of the Shamrock, but detested priestcraft and bigotry in every shape and form. He had Edited Five Journals. either in whole or in part, though never out of the ministry. As a writer he attained a marvellous power in the use of descriptive illustration. He was also a poet of no mean repute, his sermons gene- rally containing some original verses of his own. He found pleasure in trans- lating Welsh hymns into English and in- troducing them into his sermons for the benefit of his English hearers. As a Preacher. his sermons were remarkably optimistic, considering he was the survivor of an age so intolerant in matters pertaining to religion. When delivering his discourses he was ever restless, pacing his narrow platform with unceasing regularity, his hands constantly in action. During the course of his ministry he Baptised over 4,000. professing believers. After giving up his church at Halifax in order to become an itinerant temperance lecturer, travelling from town to town on foot, losing no opportunity to further the cause of tem- perance, he again became an active minis- ter, taking charge of a church at Honey- borough, near Milford, whence he removed to Merthyr Tydfil, where he spent six years as pastor of Bethel. Always keenly interested in the industrial problem, and much concerned for the betterment of the conditions of the working classes, he left Merthyr to become editor of a Trade Union paper, the Potters' Examiner," published in North Staffordshire, and while holding this journalistic post he performed the duties of secretary to the board of arbitration controlling the rela- tions between the masters and the men, in which position he earned the respect of both sides. Mr. Matthias again re- turned to Wales and the ministry, and was for three years pastor of Merthyr Vale Baptist Church. He then took charge of Mount Zion, Swansea, where he remained another three years. Some 18 years ago, a patriarch of over 60, he left Swansea for Nantymoel, in the Ogmore Valley, then a quiet spot, far different from the busy place it is now, and there he remained. At Nantymoel he was pastor of Horeb for 16 years, relinquish- ing the charge in January, 1902, to enjoy the period of repose which he had earned by many years of strenuousness. On his retirement the congregation at Horeb voted him an honorarium of £100 as a mark of their esteem. Although retired from the regular ministry, Mr. Matthias had to find an outlet for his superabundant energy, and, in spite of failing health, he acted as supply almost to the last. He also became the president of the branch of the Independent Labour Party recently formed in the Ogmore Valley, and read several interesting papers before the members.

_2f; I THE REv. JAMES OATEY THE REVIVALIST FROM LONDON, and the REV. R. B. JONES WILL CONDUCT REVIVAL SERVICES In English and Welsh, at Ainon Welsh Baptist Chapel YNYSHIR, Commencing next Tuesday, Nov. 29. Meetings to commence nightly at 7-30 o'clock. A HEARTY WELCOME TO ALL. 2215

The Guardians Vacancy. For the seat on Pontypridd Board of Guardians vacant through the death of Mr. D. S. Davies, Salisbury Hotel, Fern- dale, Mrs. Davies, widow of the late Mr. Davies, ex-Police Sergeant Evans, and Mr. Edward Evans, North Street, Fern- dale, were nominated. At a meeting of the ratepayers held at North Street Schools, Ferndale, on Monday evening, the last two withdrew in favour of Mrs. Davies.

The Revival Remarkable Meetings at Treorchy. Revivalism Spreading. i?h — ondda Meetings and Arrange- ments. Visit of Mr. Evan Roberts. h Al", Fvail Roherts, the outstanding flings present upheaval of religious revival "1 '• ^ve it its proper name, ^eek. ji- 18 .visiting the Rhondda next ai V^lt commences at Porth on 011 Xup^i! -Monday next; at Treorchy and for i-uy' Wednesday and Thursday; or the next three days, Friday Sat- f-hitigs ai. Sunday, at Pentre. Great ,calitv a ^Xi?ec^e(^ ^rom his visit to this tiotis a' 11 churches of all denomina- r\t !i! e^rnest supplications for the it t j*e Master to follow him here memn ?'ile *n so many places during ltt^nse fr p propaganda. Indeed, an ^aniffistJi devotion is already Pi'aye,. 111 nearly all the churches; Nt fn7"^8. have an additional in- tries wilf> °[y an^ young alike; the ves- ting re they are held are full to over- Th Llwynypia ni€etings in the Rhondda yW& +vT Jerusalem, Llwynypia, S T Were conducted by the Revs, ^isfarl °ule8 »an(^ B- Jones (Porth), and Mi- Davies (London) kittle w' ~°nwil Evans (Carmarthen). as thought when these meetings \Vould commenced that the movement Is r«ea throughout the Valley. This pence f ^e' outcome of the trans- i ^'ynvn + many converts made at Ullev Pla .to the various churches in the ^Uister^ J"0 visits of different The T> ari(i members to the mission, i^es v V' J^mes Oatey, London, con- pl1s mission at the English Wes~ s«nt f aP-el, Llwynypia. Mr. Oatey was ^ho, jj "y a few friends at this church ^Plinrr ■Y^ed Jerusalem mission, and ej*dv u w*th Mr. Oatey's mission, ^de. a 2-ut 200 converts have been °1 "a- x-pe delivered his lecture ?| Whit ^ears °f Life in the Slums V^day6 i a Pac^ed meeting on hitech 1^ His description of the na J6I horrors was vivid in the ex- ^tiijj'g n~ he^remarked that most of the ino i ^ack the Ripper outrages fh°m i ^oers of his class; to one of l6 had spoken only ten minutes ^11 1 *er murder. The Rev. Mr. Oatey vfi&er" /re, on Billie Bray, the Cornish 'dav rp'^hom he personally knew) on fc^on i? ~night (Thursday) at 8.30 a pro- pUd by the Salvation Army wVlV Pai'ade the streets, starting a lril^.V Square to Pandy Square, V aft °Pen"air meeting will be held, elsti,y afterwards continued in Jerusalem Th-B crnfJ" S. Jones, Llwynypia, last Ollducted a week's mission at Cwm- near New Tredegar, and is this i^h W)- f °ntardulais. We understand I'evi u0ns were attended with excel- is now labouring with the i.* Methodist Mission Hall, Tyn- fp Here, too, the Spirit of God ^Po/^jy, working, and a number have Mht to the earnest appeals made ia J'eshTi' nMht, and a large addition frych t he made to this Mission v! expected that Mrs. Askew tli the winter in the Rhondda va'- will work in connection with Primitive Methodist Churches Rhondda Circuit. Dhe Treorchy. wave has reached Treorchy anc^ the prayer meetings of Sifted for some weeks past, ,j. R-v tho inspiring effect of Mis- a^ly .rts' revival meetings, are evi- Tut,^lln8. forth good fruit. Monday «n/eiliark n^hts have been productive of meetings and conversions, foi^hat r«are onl^ considered a pre-taste V?^ he expected when the evan- TT. -Roberts, visits the place next CM-v,tld advent, however, has not e^d ;atters, and the Spirit haa pre- tAt Cwmparc on Monday of .vAroad was paraded by a num- Welsh Baptist adherents and acting a e to the chapel, where a 4 a rii^i ln Progress for some hours tLQ^Wr >J^her of conversions recorded. V ^ight fe i.nS on Tuesday morning for Wsi°HS. orkmen resulted in more con- a °ddfa, Treorchy, was the W ^'ght memorable assembly on Tues- ah.,a lar»0 hig building was attended tL his f„n crowd, which Pastor Morris 4 <1 °Wers had undoubtedly been attracting thither owing to eveniyf ^he streets early in Vho<l t? g- There was no order or WeJ° by; t1he SPirit l€d' and 1°Hal i- lemarkable outbursts of +^6votiori evo^ed hy the unquench- and spontaneous pleadings er> ,nri ° Prayed, innumerable in next « ie' one there, now a soma ?la^e,> beautiful volumes of *1M **S' breaV J-h° old and delightful ^J^iicin^ forth with mighty strain kg conveS^11 lnsPiring effect. Fifty- 111 rl -.P-m i. were reported up to yk6^reixcp f the meeting broke up C^for L ° the wi«hcs of those who u °Pen-air meeting similar to lts tiiass oi on e previous evening. Stnay Un iar°^ the big crowd wended Hwi and nit- singing along the As <E°ate,y 1?alti"8 on the jjjp lUai'e, where another im- ^6 u^d wa:s held, quite as fer- indnn?lanT,ln character as the rouovf' Prominent in the ring J 8llch l1' UnP°]ished miner who ^ivai °f his coafw^i011 by, • divesti"g I1 ^eetino- ^lle speaking at the N, j Johf M aenSw.ynfl on Satur- 7 all inrli ,^l]lman hy name, and K ^^iotion10^10^, supported by his S, spirit. |T- Ls also imbued with the f ?, it wao 1 presence was an inspira- 5 ing hSifing past> midnight, with tb ering disL°n ihe1gr?,and) when IjM seed 0f v? having surely aj1111? heartq ^110^"1 many duil « £ ? been • •re,e Chur.ches Vt^teJUesday nilh? meetings, {!? ren^^ght; Ramah was the na<^eqtiate trf' Was found t0 ^Ming and°SftWlth %.Iarge tlii °sen (n vr\ artet an adjourn- **°3a( Z'x was alm nfBetWia afL acc(>mm0date the crowd lTWarc1s; the 0l*stS?o<3ation Tl1qUlckly ovcl1axed ^Oio. °n of ti,- o ^6i Was quite a ^mark nnti mrlt here als°5 and ^Urfi at Ainon to e brethren t the lasi' 0Se: prayer meet- W1 U o'eloi 0 n,ehts have «. •en^1v> with unabated 37 cifr,clly- On Wednes- held K received. G(J continued ™ H c^aPel till 10 Ued on Cardiff Arms <I.. Square until 12.30 midnight. Open-air meetings were held previous to the chapel meetings. Ynyshir. The Rev. James Oatey, in conjunction with the Rev. R. B. Jones, Porth, will continue his Rhondda mission at Ainon, Ynyshir, next week, and has cancelled important London engagements to take part in the revivals now stirring the Rhondda. Maerdy. The revival is making its influence felt in the Rhondda Fach. From Mardy comes the report of a wonderful meeting at Seion Welsh Baptist Chapel on Mon- day evening. Sunday and Monday last were set apart for the half-yearly services, but on Monday the service resolved itself into a revival meeting, with its absence of set preaching and formal method. Mon- day evening's meeting will ever be re- membered by those who were privileged to be present. Commencing at 6 o'clock, we hear that before the meeting had been brought to a close the hour of three o'clock had struck. Method for the con- duct of the meeting had perforce to be set aside, and all joined in at their will. Now a hymn was sung, then a plaintive melody was rendered, to be succeeded by an eloquent appeal in prayer, which would invoke another outburst of song. And yet, though disorder reigned, there was no confusion. Truly a wonderful meet- ing. Ferndale. Signs of the Diwygiad" taking hold of Ferndale are shown in the splendid revival meetings taking place at Penuel and Tabernacle Chapels. At Penuel Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Ferndale, the preaclier on Sun- day last was announced to be the Rev. D. Mardy Davies, of Pontycymmer, who now has charge of the arrangements in connection with the young revivalist's (Mr. Evan Roberts) future meetings. Here again during the whole of the day there was an entire absence of preaching, the rev. gentleman allowing the meeting to follow its bent. And truly wonderful were the results. Men and women who had never hitherto taken public part in wor- ship, s,ok,e fluently and with power. Hymns of childhood's distant past were called to memory, and sung with an effect truly wonderful. The usual prayer meet- ing was held on Monday evening, and so firm a grip had the revival taken upon the congregation that it was decided to continue the meetings every evening during the week. It was almost ten o'clock before the meeting on Monday night dispersed. Arrangements have been made for Mr. Evan Roberts' services at Ferndale on Monday, December 5th, and his advent to the neighbourhood is looked forward to with great expectation bv the churches in the locality. Ton. The present religious awakening in dif- ferent parts of Wales is creating a deep feeling in the local churches for a similar effect in our neighbourhood. Last Sun- day was a day of general expectation among all denominations, which was to a certain extent realised. The Rev. Jas. Evans, B.A., Aberavon, who preached at Bethesda Chapel on Sunday, said in the morning that he had been to Bridgend the day previous and had learnt some- thing. and had felt deeper in Mr. Evan Roberts' meetings than he ever could explain. The old adage, "Mwy o swyn mewn saib nac mewn ystwr," seems to be appropriate to this revival, and we are confident that no obstacle will be placed in the way of an awakening in our locality. The various churches are already convening special prayer meetings to awaken a new desire to possess this most nrecious gift—" dawn yr Ysbryd Glan." During Mr. Franiv Weaver's mission at the Congregational Church, upwards of thirty are reported to have been con verted, and at Hebron Baptist. Chapel on Sunday last fivel persons embraced the faith. Pentre. The revival in connection with the Albert Street Primitive Methodist Church, Pentre, which was recently referred to in the Leader," is continuing. Under the earnest labours of Mrs. L. Askew, of St. Albans, a large number have come out for God; and it is believed that, as a result of the revival, 70 new members will be added to the church. Porth. At Porth, the Rev. Geo. Harris, of Cardiff, started a week of special services on Sunday last. At Hannah Street Primi- tive Methodist Church, eleven converts have been made. On Wednesday morn- ing the Rev. R. B. Jones, Welsh Baptist minister, conducted a consecrated service, at the close of which a young man from Bristol gave himself to Christ. He said he ran away from home, leaving in Bristol a broken-hearted widowed mother. A tele- gram was sent to his mother-" Robert saved through Christ." Hafod. Meetings are being held at Hafod with great success. At the Great Western Colliery, for over a week past, the men have been holding prayer meetings under- ground. Clydach Vale. Prayer meetings are held throughout the day at the various chapels in turn, and a large number of converts have been received. «hpv^{Spreading Northwards. The fire from the South has been car- ried to North Wales by the Rev. R. B. Jones, Porth, who last week conducted evangelistic services at Rhosllanerchrugog, near Wrexham. In connection with these services three prayer meetings were held daily, and the evangelist, together with members of the several churches of the district, also went round the streets singing hymns and delivering short addresses. The largest chapel at Rhos—Capel Mawr-was filled, and overflow meetings had to be held. The congregation at every service was worked up to a high pitch of religious enthusiasm. Young men and young women, without any invitation, came forward to pray, while women and men, young and old, wept.

Walking Match at Pentre. A three miles walking match for zC20 a-side took place between Jack Evans, Treorchy, and C. W. Stone, Mountain Ash at the Griffin Park, Pentre, on Sat- urday. Although conceding twenty yards, Evans was easily the winner by fifteen yards.

XMAS PHOTOS. A pretty selection of Mounts just received suitable for Photos as Xmas & New Year Cards BEAUTIFUL HIGH-CLASS WORK! CALL AND INSPECT THE STOCK EARLY. LEVI LADD, PHOTOGRAPHER, 21, Dunraven St.. Tonypandy (opposite Danix's Temperance Bar). Ores DAILY. 2191

The Guardians. Labour Farm for the County. Alderman E. H. Davies, J.P., presided at Wednesday's meeting of the Guardians. On the motion of the Chairman, it was decided to provide the paupers with the same extra Christmas fare as in the past. No discussion took place on this occasion as to the provision of Christmas beer. The Bridgend Union wrote desiring the Guardians to appoint three representa- tives to attend a conference in reference to the unemployed question, and further stated that the acquirement of land for the establishment of a labour farm in Glamorgan would enable them to deal effectively with the problem. The Chair- man said he thoroughly believed that was the only solution of the difficulty. Re- presentatives were appointed. The Vaccination Officer reported that no case of small-pox had been reported during the iact-.vLrc- m"Q and all the cases had left the Isolation Hospital. TLv disease was now stamped out. In reply to Mr. Evan John, the Clerk stated that the cost to the Guardians had been very little, but the epidemic had cost the Caerphilly District Council be- tween E500 and C600. It was decided to hold the Christmas celebrations at the workhouses on Mon- day, December 26th.

Tonypandy. The weekly meeting in connection with the English Congregational Social Union was of a very humorous description. The members were treated to a lively dis- course from Mr. Edwin Randle, who dilated upon matters which concern more especially the ladies, the title of the paper being Advice to ladies on things in general." It is not often that a gentle- man will dare work like this, for the ladies consider such action presumptuous and ridicule all advice from mere man." It is to Mr. Randle's credit, then, that he should stand up bravely before a num- ber of ladies and denounce, rightly or wrongly, as the case may be, the errors of the weaker yet more privileged sex. He did it under the cloak of humour, it is true; but it is not too much to say that some remarks of his were covert con- demnations of woman's most flagrant sins. Surely, the laughable condemnation which Mr. Randle applied to the use of tall hats by ladies in church is not without satire. Or, again, the decorative woman, who sets her table with the choicest, crockery —at her husband's expense. Mr. Randle was afraid that some women study domes- ticity as a art only and not as a means to comfort, which should be in every home. Mr. Gladstone worked hard for the cause of Home Rule in Ireland, but he was sure many men did not have it in Wales. A woman's Home Rule often- times became no rule at all. Let Ireland have Home Rule, but, remarked the speaker, charity should begin at home." This was the style of the paper through- out, the humour being splendidly sus- tained up to the last. The humour caught on, for members following delivered re- marks certainly both funny and edifying, one remarking that a little of the spirit of comedy was prevalent there, which spirit could but have good effects. A pianoforte solo by Miss Violet Horton was beautifully rendered, and a recitation from Henry V. by Miss Janet Gardner was remarkably well delivered, bringing to a close a very enjoyable evening.

Poole's Opera Houses. At Treherbert Opera House to-night (Thursday) and on Friday and Saturday evenings, and at Porth Opera House every evening during next week, Mr. A. Clifton Anderson presents the domestic and mili- tary play of A Soldier and a Man," the popularity of which is shown by the fact of its having been played at no less than 21 London theatres. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, The New Mephisto" will be produced at the Treherbert Opera House by Mr. W. H. Kirby's London company. This should draw good houses. It is a very successful musical comedy by the author of The Gay Parisienne," A Chinese Honeymoon," and other plays which have proved immense hits.

Accident at Treherbert. On Wednesday morning Mrs. Evans, 3, Mount Libanus, Treherbert, fell on the steps in front of her house and sustained a broken leg.

Gift to Porth Cottage Hospital. On Wednesday evening at a special meeting of the governors of Porth Cot- tage Hospital, Dr. E. N. Davies, J.P., in the chair, a deputation consisting of Messrs. W. T. Davies, solicitor (chairman), N. Llewelyn, J. H. Lewis, J. Caldicott, and Dr. Chalke (treasurer) presented a cheque for E215, proceeds of the annual hospital fete given by Mr. John Studt. The deputation were warmly thanked for the gift.

Fatal Accident at Llwynypia. Whilst Frederick Thomas, a young man, of 84, Miskin Road, Trealaw, was engaged oiling at the No. 1 Pit, Llwynypia Col- lieries, he was knocked down by a journey of trams and killed. Deceased was a nephew of the late Daniel Thomas, in whose memory a monument has been erected in recognition of his bravery in sacrificing his life in the endeavour to rescue his comrades on the occasion of the explosion at the Naval Collieries, Penygraig.

Porth Cottage Hospital. Patients' Gratitude. A tribute to the good work carried on at the Porth Cottage Hospital is paid by several patients, who on Saturday sent the following letter to the Management Committee: To the President and Committee of the Porth Cottage Hospital. Sirs,—We, the undersigned, beg to draw your attention to the excellent treatment that has been meted to us as patients in this hospital. First, we wish to acknowledge the matron. She has treated us with the greatest care, and has always advised us with the love of a mother. Her presence by our beds ha. been as sunshine in our gloomy days of sickness, when we have been faint- hearted, and when some of us had to face the dark days of operation she has shown us the light of the love of God, and has been the instrument through His hand to restore to us our health. Our earnest desire is that she will have health and strength to work in the sphere God has been pleased to call her to, knowing well the benefits that have been poured upon us, and wishing her God-speed in her work, so that she will deserve the recom- mendation of her Master, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Second, the nurses. We also think that they are worthy of our praise. They have been most attentive to us; whatever our needs were, they were attended to. Perhaps they were called at midnight: they have never looked at their work as a burden, but have done it with pleasure, and our conditions testify to the benefits we have derived. Therefore, to conclude, we wish both matron and nurses long life and happi- ness, and if our lives be spared we shall always remember their love and sym- pathy, and it will be pleasant for us to look back at the time when we were under their care. And by presenting this little token of respect we have for the matron and nurses, we also wish you as officers and committee every success in the work you are attending to.—We have the pleasure to be, yours truly, James Bone Reynolds, Daniel Williams, Jacob Jonefe. James Lewis, David Hopkins, J. W. Ed- wards, Griffith O. Jones, William Rowley (patients)." To this, the following reply was sent: — "Porth Cottage Hospital "(Supported by Voluntary Subscriptions), Porth, Glam., October 20th, 1904. My Dear Children,—I have had many pleasant surprises and much happiness in my nursing work here among the homely Welsh, but the contents of your big envelope last night was the greatest sur- prise and delight of all. It has given us more real and lasting pleasure than you can ever know, or dream of, and not only us, but each member of our Management Committee, who have the true welfare of our dear little hospital at heart and have unceasingly laboured for its success. I can only regret that its founder, Dr. H. Naunton Davies, was called home before he was able to see the fruit of his labours so warmly appreciated, but perhaps he does know about it even now. In any case,, his useful and greatly valued life lives after him. "As for our part, who could help loving their work when natients make everything so easy? We know that it is unnatural for men to be ruled in every little detail, as is the case in .a hospital, and yet you all take everything in such a cheerful, happy spirit, whether it goes against the grain or not. We can only thank you from our hearts for your letter, the remembrance of which will be prized throughout our lives, and I trust makes us more worthy of our nursing office.—Affectionately yours, we remain, Amy Potts (matron), Minnie Phelps, Mary Davies (nurses)."

Pentre Murder Charge. Referring to the Pentre murder charge, Mr. Justice Bray, at the Glamorgan Assizes on Tuesday, said —I am glad to see there is only one charge of murder for trial—a charge against a man named Lange. This may not be a difficult case, because the evidence is very clear. It appears that the deceased, a man named Jones, a publican, and his wife were in bed at 2 o'clock in the morning, when J the prisoner entered it. He was seen by Mrs. Jones, who screamed, whereupon he attacked her. The husband then woke, and the prisoner attacked him and dealt him a number of blows with a knife, or some sharp instrument, and eventually deceased was stabbed in the heart. As far as the grand jury are concerned there is no difficulty whatever in saying that it is a case of murder. There is a ques- tion as to the prisoner's sanity, but with that you know you have not to deal with. It is suggested that the motive was steal- ing money which Jones had received that night, but however that may be the grand jury need not trouble about any motive, for the prima evidence is perfectly clear. I

Had Never Known Him Work.' At Glamorgan Assizes on Wednesday (before Mr. Justice Bray) Frederick Jones (45), a stoker, pleaded guilty to stealing 66 brass tramway brushes, the property of the United National Colliery Company, Wattstown, on October 25th. Inspector Evans said that at the time of :3 theft prisoner lived at Cardiff, and he had never" known him to work. He was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. Mr. Morgan Morgan prosecuted.

Formation of a Church Lads' Brigade at Tonypandy. A company of the Church Lads' Bri- gade was formed at Tonypandy on Mon- day last, when the first drill took place at the Church Hall. A good number attended, and several were en- rolled members. The officers of the newly-formed company are: —Cap- tain, D. Price; second lieutenant, E. Davidson; sergeant-major, J. L. Rose; staff-sergeant, A. Shenpard; co-rrespon- dent, W. G. Sheppard; chaplain, the Rev. R. W. Evans (vicar). The com- pany have already met with the hearty support of the leaders of the different churches in the parish. The smartness of the lads at their first drill speaks well for the future of the company. The com- pany will meet at their headquarters, the Church Hall, Tonypandy, on Monday and Friday nights, at 8 o'clock, for drill in- struction during the winter months. There are still a few vacancies. Youths of the age of 14 are eligible for membership, and should communicate with the corres- pondent on drill nights at the Church Hall.

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A Plea that Failed. At Pontypridd Police Court on Wed nesday Henry Wood, residing at Ystrad, was charged with stealing a. pair of boots from a shop belonging to the Public Benefit Boot Company at Ystrad. Mr. William Rees, the manager, and P.C. Evans having given evidence, the defendant urged that he was a hard- working man and pleaded for leniency. It was owing to drink that he had com- mitted this offence. The Stipendiary said that the Bench would have listened to the defendant's plea for leniency had it not been that it was only last month he was fined for a similar offence. He would be sentenced to a fortnight's imprisonment.

Hafod. Probate of the will of Mr. William Silvanus Jones, of 115, Trehafod Road, Hafod, Pontypridd, who died on May 8th, has been granted to John Silvanus Jones, of 115, Trehafod Road, the son, and Ben- jamin Jones, of Typica House, Hopkins- town, Pontypridd, retired grocer, the value of the property amounting to C200 11s.

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