The London Welshman

Notes from North Wales. New Year's Eve in Wales. The New Year was ushered in in Wales with hymn and prayer at countless revival meetings. These watch-night services had been begun early in the evening, and in many cases the gatherings were not easily persuaded to break up after mid- night. In North Wales the religious movement has undoubtedly received a marked impetus during the Christmas and New Year season. Though the revival is as native to the North as to the South, and has been rising there for many weeks, one source of stimulus has probably been the return for the holidays of so many North Wales folk who, working in the Glamorganshire valleys, have been under the influence of the extraordinary fervour of the movement in that- region. The revival seems to have marked the passing of the Old Year in another way. From many districts it is reported that there was less drunkenness and rollicking, and that the police found their New Year's Eve duties unusually light. Preaching in the Bangor Cathedral recently, Dean Roberts recognised both the spiritual and moral fruits which may be looked for from the religious awakening, and he emphasised the Bishop of Bangor's message to his clergy-the words of St. Paul—" Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesyings but prove all things, hold fast that which is good." The Welsh Revival. Great impetus was on Wednesday afforded the religious revival at Rhos, by further enthusiastic meetings. At one of the thanksgiving services which continued until one o'clock in the morn- ing, three intoxicated men appeared while on their way home. They became so impressed that they there and then denounced the Evil One and all his works, and vowed never to touch the accursed drink again. One of the trio, a man of 64 years of age, suiting the action to the word, drew two bottles containing liquor from his coat pockets, and these he dashed against the wall. At one of Wednesday's emotional services two young sisters rose and sang a duet with such dramatic effect that the audience were overcome with tears. On Tuesday night, a band of revivalists marched through the streets, and, halting near public-houses, sang hymns lustily. On Tuesday it was stated that efforts are being made to secure a visit from Evan Roberts, the initiator of the revival, while Monday next is being reserved as a grand field day," when services will be held all day at four of the largest local chapels, the preachers being the Revs. Abel Parry, D.D. (Rhyl), P. Price (Llanrwst), O. L. Roberts and John Williams (of Liverpool). Up to Tuesday the converts numbered nearly 800. It is believed the East Denbighshire converts now nearly aggregate 2,000. The Bishop of St. Asaph and the Bontnewydd Terms. The following correspondence has passed between Mr. Evan R. Davies, of Carnarvon, and the Bishop of St. Asaph — Carnarvon, December 29, 1904. My Lord,—You will probably have seen that Mr. Issard Davies has introduced a proposal for the consideration of the Carnarvonshire Education Committee for the settlement of out- standing difficulties with regard to the Voluntary Schools, in the following terms :— That the terms of arrangement entered into between the County Education Committee and the Trustees of the Bontnewydd School be offered to all non-provided schools within the county, and, in view of their acceptance, the County Education Committee pledges itself to open all elementary schools within the county between 9 a.m. and 9.45 a.m. for the purpose of religious instruction, denominational or un- denominational, according as shall be determined in writing by the parent of each child attending such schools, the cost of such religious instruc- tion to be defrayed by the person or denomina- tion so determining." I enclose a copy of the Bontnewydd terms for your information, and shall be glad if you will let me have, if possible, by Monday morning next, a statement of your views as to the practi- cability of a settlement on the basis of Mr. Issard Davies's proposal. Yours faithfully, EVAN R. DAVIES. The Palace, St. Asaph, December 30, 1904. Dear Mr. Davies,—I thank you for your letter. Anyone who has taken the trouble and given the time necessary to master the mam issues involved in the education question must be filled with wonder and amazement at the sim- plicity or the ignorance of the Voluntary school managers who won't accept the terms of transfer which you kindly enclosed for my perusal. There is a mirage about these terms but I am reminded of the fable of the,,dog who dropped his dinner into the river in order to clutch at its reflection. Yours very truly, A. G. ASAPH. If the Bishop is correctly quoted the pro- nouncement is very significant. Captain Griffith=Boscawen. The death of Captain Griffith Boscawen removes from the public life of Denbighshire a notable and familiar figure. Captain Griffith- Boscawen was one of the county gentry of Wales who, when the county councils took away from Quarter Sessions the control of county business, accepted the new order of things and took as active a part in the work of the new body as he had done in that of the old. Though a strong Conservative and Churchman, residing in a county where the political temperament is usually high, his public behaviour convinced all that his main concern was the maintenance of efficient local government, and all parties came to think of him not as an ally or an opponent, but as a public servant whose help could always be counted on. Jn Poor Law work he took a particularly keen interest and his unanimous election year after year for over a quarter of a century to the chair of the Wrexham Board of Guardians sufficiently attests the Board's respect for his character and the value it set upon his knowledge and counsel. Summons Against Carnarvonshire Education Committee. The County Council of Carnarvonshire have given notice of summoning at Quarter Sessions certain parishes in. South Carnarvonshire, in- cluding Ynyscynhaiarn, for payment of the county precept. On Friday, at Portmadoc Police Court, the assistant overseer of Ynyscynhaiarn parish (Mr. D. Jones) appeared for a summons against the County Education Committee for payment of balances in the poor rate in respect of the several schools in the parish. Mr. Jones said the parish could not be expected to pay the county call when the Education Committee itself was in default. The Committee had paid half the rate, and declined to pay the remainder until next March. As a matter of fact, Ynys- cynhaiarn had over a week ago paid the call to the union through whom payment was made. The call was not made until the beginning of December. The Bench granted the summons.

Y DYFODOL LDymunir ar i ysgrifenyddion a threfnwyr y gwahanol Gyfarfodydd anfon gwybodaeth yn brydlon am unrhyw gynulliad a fwriedir gynnal, er mwyn rhoddi hysbys- rwydd amserol yn y golofn hon.] 1905. Ion 7, 8, 9. Cyfarfodydd Ordeinio Mr. E. Owen, B.A., yn weimdog ar Eglwys Barrett's Grove. 10. Little Alie Street, Darlith ar Hugh Owen, Apostol y Gogledd, Parch B. Arberth Evans. 12. Fglwys St. Padarn, Holloway. Swper Goffi yn yr Emmanuel Mission Hall. Ion. 18. Mile End Road. Cystadleuaeth Gadeiriol ar Unawd 19. Cyngherdd Blynyddol Jewin. 26. Barrett's Grove. Te a Chyngherdd Blynyddol. 31. Little Alie Street. Darlith gan y Parch. T. Shankland, Rhyl. Chwf. 5. Cyfarfod Pregethu Stratford. 9. Stratford. Darlith gan y Parch. S. E. Prytherch. 16. Annual Eisteddfod, Harecourt Chapel, Canonbury. 21. Little Alie Street. Eisteddfod Flynyddol. 25. Cyngherdd Cenedlaethol yn Heol-y-Castell. Mrth. 9. Cyfarfod Cystadleuol Morley Hall. 23. Eisteddfod Eglwys St. Padarn, Hornsey Road, yn Myddelton Hall, Upper Street, N. 30. Eisteddfod Flynyddol Shirland Road. Ebrill 13. Cymanfa Ganu y M.C. yn Jewin.