The Aberdare Leader

THE present outbreak of religious fervour in Cardigan, Loughor, and Tre- cynon. has been aptly described as a ] fire." However, there are fires and i fires, and many of the so-called re- ] vivals may be fitly termed chimney j fires." A chimney fire does not warm < the hearth, but the flue. It generally t succeeds in drawing a crowd of sight- ] seeing neighbours, it is sometimes 1 destructive, and it always ends in ( smoke. The moral is obvious. We j t have no wish to disparage—much less J < deride—any propaganda which has for 1 its end the betterment of the world. + But it is only fair that one should apply i bo the present revival the touch-stone )f utility, and try to find out whether it 1 leaves the scenes of its visits better than it found them. If it does, it deserves encouragement; if not, it is a terrible waste of energy. Is Lougbor really such a paradise as it is represented to )e now ? And will it remain so ? Will he falling off in the revenue of the [ jublicans continue? Later in the season viil religious topics still occupy in the i ninds and conservations of young 1 Loughorites, the place once held by foot- ball thoughts and gossip? Will the town be able to dispose of its consta- bulary ? Will the steel workers dispense for ever with their swear vocabulary ? The movement is a wave of emotio- nalism sweeping over the land. When the inevitable reaction follows the action —when the ebb succeeds the tide- will the track of the receding current be barren sands or fertile fields ? A contemporary, which has made great capital out of the sensational phase of this movement, says: The proceedings everywhere are marked by a decorum which gives it a dignity and does some- thing to testify to the sincerity of those who take the lead and play their part in the strange scenes which are en- acted." Perhaps our sense of decorum is somewhat too subtle, but we must say that the meetings at Trecynon did not appeal to us as being of a highly decorous character. Order, we are told, is the first law of heaven, and when people pretend to draw heaven down to the earth they should bring with it some of the celestial order to substi- tute our terrestrial chaos. With regard to the sincerity of those who take the lead and play their part in this drama, we never doubt their bona- fides; but the sincerity of a missioner is no test of the merit of his mission. lanatics are always conscientious to a fault. Our chief objection to the present revival is that it is a forced one. Moral and spiritual progress is a growth, and, like the growth of a tree, far from accelerating it, abnormal heat may j r'r""o.. re cam it. The old revivals of decades and centuries ago may have constituted a factor in the development of the reli- gious world. So did the spinning wheel and hand flail once in the industrial world, but now they are obsolete. To- day genuine reform is wrought not by hysterical sensationalists, but by silent, assiduous workers, who toil steadily week in week out, and appeal to a man's intellect as much as to his emotion. Why those forced "confessions" at the Trecynon meetings ? If it is neces- sary for a man to make a public declara- tion of his religious feelings, let it be deliberate and spontaneous. But then, in the "reckoning of heads," every convert, forced or otherwise, counts a unit, and helps to swell the list. Again we doubt the reforming tendency of a movement that keeps people huddled together in chapels for from 6 to 10 aours at a stretch. Would it not be oeijter for them to follow their avoca- jions by day, and steady their over- .1 strained nerves with a little sleep at light, so as to be able to bring their religious sentiments to bear on their wery-day life ? Evidently the imagina- iive plays a very large part in the I experiences of these evangelists. When a man says that he sees a vision, ibat means, we presume, that he magines that he sees something which ie does not really see. Let our prayer )e, 0 God, make no more revival jiants, but elevate the race."

BORWICK'S POWDER ffakes the Sweetest Bread, Cakes & Pastry.

"Revival" at Trecynon. Remarkable Scenes. Mr Evan Roberts, the young evangelist who set the heather on fire at Loughor last week came to Trecynon last Sunday morning, and at Bryn Seion Calvinistic Methodist Chapel initiated a series of revival meetings. Much interest had been roused in the neighbourhood by the reports of the remarkable Loughor revival at which this young man has been the central figure. But few were aware of his coming to Tre- cynon last Sunday morning, consequently the meeting was somewhat sparsely attended. It was a cold morning, and a dull November fog hung thickly over the landscape, making the environments any- thing but conducive to a display of religious warmth and an outburst of revivalistic enthusiasm. The evangelist arrived shortly after 11 accompanied by five young ladies from the scene of the remarkable occurrence down West. Mr Roberts has a striking appearance, a most pleasant countenance, but sickli.ed o'er with the pale cast "-not of thought but of emotion, and has a winning and attractive way of addressing his con- gregations. He is no orator, and possesses no brilliancy of speech. His utterances sparkle with no flashes of eloquence, and betray more simplicity than culture. He does not preach to, but converses with his congregations. He is no stageman either, and does not beat the air for dramatic effect. The earthquake and the fire find no place in his discourses, but with the still, small voice he 1; breathes through the pulses of desire." Upon entering Bryn Seion last Sunday morning he was offered the pulpit, but declined it, saying that it was too far from the people. Thereupon he commenced pacing the "set fawr" back and fore Bible in hand, wringing his hands impatiently as if he were a mere bundle of nerves. After a few preliminary remarks he began to recapitulate his experiences at Loughor. They had held meetings there every night during the week, varying in duration from six to ten hours. During the whole week they had practically no sleep. On the previous night he had made an attempt to obtain repose, but slumber came not to his eyelids. He had to get up because God called him. They were asked if they did not feel fatigued. Fatigue! it was unknown to them. When requested to partake of food they were quite oblivious of the fact that they were undergoing a long fast. It was 5 o'clock that morning when the meeting terminated, and at that unearthly hour even, they had to compel the people to go out. What power, he asked, could have held a crowd together for that long period ? Man could never have done it in his own strength. It could be ascribed to nought but the working of the Holy Spirit. At first it was -with great difficulty they could persuade people to take part in the services, but now it was impossible to restrain them. Over 80 had been baptised at the church to which he belonged. At first his joyful mood mystified people, but now that they ex- perienced the same pleasure, their rejoicings were mutual. All his discourses were ex- tempore, God invariably placing the words in his mouth at the time of utterance. One day while praying he had a vision, and saw clearly a white horse and a red horse. The vision was a mystery to him, but ultimately the Spirit directed him to Rev. vi, 2—4, and the interpretation of the vision dawned upon him at once. On Thursday throughout the day the Spirit burnt within him like fire. Towards the evening however it was extinguished, but he repaired to the chapel, and immediately he sat down the Spirit re-took possession of him. The revival had taken complete possession of Loughor. Even the children talked of nothing else. Among erstwhile profane steelwcrkers never an oath was heard now. Families were re-kindling altars that had been cold and neglected for 15 years. They made it a rule in their meetings not to speak unless moved by the Spirit and not to discontinue their utter- ances except at his bidding. One one occasion he (the speaker) had committed a grave error by keeping the glory to him- self for seven minutes. Afterwards he was careful to render the glory to God. Their meetings had been of a miscellaneous kind, some singing, others reciting, others pray- ing, but all was done in submission to the spirit. At this juncture the speaker asked the audience if there was anyone present ready to confess. Every would-be-confessor, however, must first all enquire whether any unconfessed sin lurked in his bosom. Who, he asked, will rise to con- fess '? One of the young ladies who accom- panied Mr Roberts then jumped up saying that she felt that she must con- fess, and she recounted her experience at the revival meetings in a most graphic and thrilling manner, and finally broke out to sing, the congregation joining. There- upon another of the young ladies sprang to her feet, and related her experience." The visitation of the Spirit had she said endowed her with a wonderful gift of speech whereas previously she could make no utterance in public. They had visited the gipsies on the mountain side, and sang and prayed with them until the gipsies caught the contagion, and sang and praised God in a strange tongue. She had been told that she was insane and that her nerves were out of order. But she felt saner and stronger than ever and was prepared to go anywhere at her Saviour's bidding-to India, Africa, no matter where. She then broke out to sing" Diolch iddo," the con- gregation joined, and the other sisters shouted Bendigedig and" Amen." Noticing that some young people in the gallery were inclined to jest, Mr Roberts warned them not to mock. In Newcastle Emlyn three young girls came to the meet- ing to mock, but God's hand was heavy on them. Meetings were held again in the after- noon and evening, the latter being crowded. There was no program or agenda, all the addresses and the miscellaneous items of the meeting being extempore and spon- taneous. A person in the congregation would suddenly arise and either sing or speak, generally with great emotion, and it was in this promiscuous fashion that the meeting was kept up until the night was far spent. The utmost excitement prevailed, and at the importunate request of Mr Roberts several got up to confess." On Monday evening another meeting was held, this time at Ebenezer Chapel. Mr Roberts again addressed the meeting, but his oration was practically a repetition of what he had said on the previous day. Sometimes he would pace the "set fawr" or the aisle, swinging his right arm or clapping his hands, smiling benevolently the while. Then one of the young ladies who accompanied him would suddenly lead off with a hymn, and the entire congregation would join. Two women addressed the meeting with great fervour, and another woman read a portion of Scripture and prayed. At Ebenezer on Tuesday morning, a prayer meeting was held. It lasted for nearly 311 hours. In the evening a very large meeting was held again at Ebenezer, which was attended by several ministers from Trecynon and the surrounding districts. This meeting was of a promiscuous char- acter. Someone in the congregation would lead off' with a hymn, or pray, or perhaps read a portion of Scripture. Then someone would address the meeting, his or her oration being punctuated with fervent cries of Diolch iddo," &c., and eventually the con- gregation would break forth to sing with extraordinary htvyl Gwaed y groes and "Pen Calfaria." The young ladies from Loughor took an active part in the pro- ceedings. One of them referred to her in- terview with the gipsies that day, and pointed out two of them in the meeting.. The meeting terminated about midnight. On Wednesday evening another gathering at Ebenezer lasted until 12.30 a.m. Mr Roberts was absent and there was no con- ductor. The meeting was one ocean of fervour. The wildest enthusiasm prevailed. Cries of Gogoniant and Hallelujah mingled with the "repeats" of favourite Welsh hymns rent the air. It was veritably a modern Pentecost.

Letters to the Editor. AT EIN GOHEBWYR. YN EIN NESAF.—Anerchiadau a ddarllen- wyd yn Bethel, Treeynon, CWYN COLL CYFAILL.—Drwg genym fod eich cyfansoddiad yn anobeithiol o wallus.

THE NEW INSURANCE. SIR,-Insurance of life and not of death is a scheme just initiated by the Mayor of Huddersfield. He offers to pay £ 1 to the parents of every child born in the district of Longwood during his term of office, on the child reaching the age of twelve months. One of the objects aimed at is to arouse attention to the subject of infant mortality. The Pall Mall Gazette recently called attention to the registrar general's report. There it was proved that South Wales towns form a blot on our civilisation. Without enlarging on figures we note that Swansea has a death rate of 219. Merthyr- 238, Aberdare 240. The highest death rate on the list is Aberdare. See how we com- pare with other districts. Middlesex has a death rate of only 108, and some other districts 111. The registrar says that it ought not for the whole of the country to exceed 150. He hopes in the near future it may not exceed 100. Before this im- provement can be reached there must be an immense improvement in the nursing and care of children. With all our education and our sanitary science, such a death rate as that of Aberdare and some of our neigh- bouring towns is a disgrace. The Mayor of Huddersfield in offering these premiums, also gives cards with instructions to mothers on nursing and the means of promoting the health of children. It is believed that careless inattention and improper feeding are the chief causes of infant mortality, and these can be remedied by the women of Glamorgan and of Aberdare. Surely the mothers of Aberdare are loving enough and will no longer permit this stain to rest on their fair name, and will yet prove to be the most successful in their care of helpless infancy.—I am, Aberdare. M.S.L,

Grand Sacred Entertain* ment at Afoerdars. Under the auspices of the Aberdare Branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, a grand sacred pictorial, and vocal entertainment was given in the Market Hall on Sunday last. Mr W. Hag- gar, junior, occupied the chair. The pro- ceedings opened with the singing of the hymn, Lead kindly light by the audience. Miss Rose Haggar then sang" Which is the way to heaven?" followed by a render- ing of For all eternity by Mr Ernest Meadows. "Please Mr Conductor" by Miss Violet Haggar, was well received. Mr Haggar, junior, then gave a most thril- ling recitation of The road to heaven." Mr W. Gwynne, Trecynon, then sang The village blacksmith." Excellent recitation, by Miss Muriel Lewis. Mr J. Phillips ably rendered "Alone on the raft which was followed by a chorus by Mr Hopkins and Party. The whole of the afore-mentioned musical renderings were most magnificently illustrated on the screen. Then followed some excellent sacred pictures on the bio- scope including a representation of Man the lifeboat," "Samson and Delilah," and Joseph and his brethren." The procee- dings terminated by the audience singing •• Aberystwyth." Messrs Joseph Ditch. burne and Dan Edwards accompanied. At an interval Mr R. Lewis, the diligent secre- tary, announced that the proceeds of the function were in aid of the Orphan Fund of the A.S.R.S., and we are glad to learn that a substantial sum has been realised for the worthy cause. Mr W. Haggar kindly gave free of charge his illustrating electric exhibi- tion and his services at the concert.

GOUT & RHEUMATISM. A martyr to gout and rheumatism for years- bas been quite cured by a simple a.ud in- expensive remedy, and he will communicate particulars of same to any sufferer on receipt of address.—Apply Captain Hardiman, 41, ting Edward Gardens, Acton Hill, London, W. The man who does not believe in adver- iising, generally believes in advertising his- )wn convictions.