The Aberdare Leader

I THE EVENING CLASSES. Once more we are on the threshold of winter, and the evening school student hails with delight the re-oommenoement of his term after the long summer vaca- tion. It is very gratifying to note that locally opportunities for mind culture are many. The Aberdare Evening Classes Committee have arranged a most com- prehensive syllabus. It is very extensive and varied. It appeals to the mining student and to the mechanic, to the student of chemistry and the electrician, to the clerk, the linguist, the ambulance pupil, and to those who delight in nature study or are interested in geology. For the ladies studies in cookery, scientific dress-making, and art needlework are provided. An opportunity is given to the residents of all the villages in the dis- trict. Classes are to be held at Hir- wain, Penywain, Llwydcoed, Roberts- town, Cwmdare, Abernant, Aberdare, Aberama.n, Cwmbach, Cwmaman, and Capcoch. Equal activity is displayed by the promoters of the Mountain Ash Evening Classes. The range of the sylla- bus is as extensive as that of Aberdare and the geographical facilities arj equally as good. Classes will be held at the var- ious schools at Cefnpennar, Mountain Ash, Miskin, Penrhiwceiber, Ynysboeth, Abercynon, and Ynysybwl. The best teachers available expertg in their re- spective spheres-have been procured, and the fee is nominal. The evening class is the working man's seminary. The young person who is desirous of im- proving himself in any capacity will ob- tain in the evening school the knowledge for which he thirsts and the training which he stands in need of. These classes should be patronised by all who believe 'in the gospel of self help.

BORWICK'S The Beat p 0% BAKING POWDER' '411 SlPOWDER in the World.

Scraps. BY SCRIBE." This is the age of quackery—medicinal economical and spiritual quackery. Of late Aberdare has suffered enormously from the, infliction of the three. The Aberdare traders who are prose- cuted for Sunday sales seem to have con- spired to give the police and the Bench some extra trouble. Every Tuesday a number of names are called to answer the charge of violating the time-honoured Act, but, as in the case of Baal's pro- phets, there is neither voice nor any to answer. Perhaps the culprits are absent- ing themselves, from court in order to give the police the trouble of collecting the fines. The fine is 5s. net, so the sin- ners cannot be debited with costs. It is suirprisin. I how many people go to the Police, Court to make applications for summonses which it is not in the pro- vince or the power of that court to grant. The other day a m-aia attended the Aber- dare Police Court, and asked for a sum- mons against a neighbour for "defam- ation of character." He was given the usual instructions, "Take it to the Assizes; it will cost you only a .£100 or so." The youngster of this generation seems to imbibe athleticism with his mother's milk, or, to be more accurate, with the bottled substitute for it. The other day a number of football enthusiasts ranging from 8 to 12 years of age might be seen diligently collecting subscriptions for a team which they had inaugurated. It was to be named H Catherine Stars," in honour of the street where most of the leather devotees lived, moved, and had their being. I was introduced to the captain, a budding international, who was somewhat higher in stature than his colleagues, and the secretary handled his pencil and carried his subscription book in a manner which. indicated conscious- ness of the dignity and importance of his office. An announcement of a meeting to be held at Aberdare "in defence of our church and schools" reads thus: Non- conformists and Socialists, as well as Churchmen invited." But why should Nonconformists and Socialists be coupled together? Is there any more affinity be- tween Nonconformity and Socialism than there is between Churchism and Social- ism, or between Nonconformity and In dividualisrn ? If the invitation applied to all classes and creeds it would read thus:—Churchmen and Nonconformists, Individualists and Socialists invited. But I presume that the presence of In- dividualists who do not happen to be Churchmen or Nonconformists is not wanted at the meeting.

Cyfarfod Ymadawol Y PARCH. WM. THOMAS, CWMDAR. Nos Fawrth, yn Nghapel Bedyddiol Nebo, Cwmdar, cynhaliwyd cyfarfod ymadawol y Parch. W. Thomas, yr hwu sydd wedi rhoddi i fyny ofal yr eglwys. Dechreuwyd drwy darllen a. gweddio gan y Parch. B. Vaughan, Elim, yna ymgymerodd y Parch. Wm. Harris, Aberdar, a llywyddiaeth y cyfarfod. Yn ei anerchiad agoriadol datganodd ei ofid dwye o golli Mr. Thomas o'r cylch. Yr oedd yn bregethwr rhagorol, yn gymeriad pur, ac o dynoliaeth gref. Y rhai oedd yn ei oowa,en oreu oedd yn ei hoffi fwyaf. Adna.byddid ef yn y Coleg yn Hwlffordd fel Christmas bach," yn herwydd ei fod wedi colli un llygad, ac hefyd yn meddu llawer o elfenau pregethwrol y "Christ- mas mawr." Yr oedd yn ddyn y gellid ei drystio. Yr oedd wedi bod mewn dau gwrdd ymada,wol yno o'r blaen, ond teim- lai yn fwy blin o golli Mr. Thomas na'r lleill, er mor rhagorol oeddynt. Darllenodd yr Ysgrifenydd lytliyrau cymeradwyol iawn i Mr. Thomas oddi- wrth y Parchn. T. Powell (M.C.), G. Hague, Hirwaun, a J. Griffiths, Calfaria, Aberdar. Dywedai'r Parch T. Davies, Gwawr, fod yn ddrwg ganddo golli cyfaill. Mae cyfeillion yn werthfawr a phrin. Yr oedd Mr. Thomas yn gadael dan ei goron. Yna oafwyd can swynol gan Mr. Fred A. Harris, "'God be with you," ac un- wyd vn galonog yn y cydgan gan yr holl gynulleidfa. Siaradodd Mr. David Jones, ysgrifen- ydd, ar ran yr Eglwys yn Nebo. Da oedd ganddo fod syniad uchel yn y cylch am Mr. Thomas, ond yr oedd syniad uwch gan yr eglwys. Yr oedd yn frawd gonest, aidwyll. Pregethai Grist Croeshoeliedig, ac ni chaniatai i sotliachddod i'r pwlpud. Fel arweinydd cyrddau'r wythnos yr oedd yn rhagori. Arweiniai hwy yn fynych i gael golwg ar gyrau'r hyfryd wlad. Yr oedd yn haelionus iawn, 110 nid er mwyn enw. Yr oedd yn cael cymeradwyaeth pawb oedd yn werth cael cymeradwyaeth oddiwrthynt. Yna siaradodd Mri. Wm. Jones a T. Thomas yn dodedig iawn ar ran Eglwys Elim; a Mr. Pugh (manager) a David Griffiths ar ran Eglwys Gobaith. Credai Mr. Pugh fod Mr Thomas yn bwriadu priodi, ac fod ihywbeth cryfach na'i "fodryb" yn ei dynu i Gaastell-newydd- Emlyn. Mwynhaodd y cwrdd yn favvr Gellweiriaeth diniwed Mr. Pugh. Wed' hyny canwyd gan Miss Gwenda May Morris, "Dilyn Iesu," yn hynod swynol, ac awd at brif waith y cwrdd, sef, cyflwyno anrhegion ac anerchiad hardd a chostfawr i Mr. Thomas. Cyflwynodd Mr. T. Evans, ar ran CyfrinfiL Alaw Goch," bedair cyfrol o Hastings "Bible Dictionary," a chafwyd ganddo ddarn o farddoniaeth yn datgan ei deimladau. Yna daeth rhai o blant yr Ysgol Sul i'r pwlpud i gyflwyno iddo Lyfr Emynau, a'r cyflwyniad Jlwn oedd yr olygfa. fwyaf dyddorol yn ystod y cyfarfod. Rhoddwyd iddo hefyd Feibl gan frawd a chwaer o'r Ysgol Sul. Darllenwyd yr anerchiad isod gan Mr David Jones, ysg., a chyflwynwyd hi gan Mr. T. Powell a Mrs. Phillips, dau o aelodau hynaf yr eglwys, a diolchodd Mr. Thomas yn gynes a thoddedig. Cafwyd pedwarawd gan bedair o ferched bach: Gwenda May Jones, Maggie May Jones, Maggie Jane Evans, a Maggie May Jones; ac yr oedd yn werth myn'd bellder ffordd i'w gwrando yn canu. Siaradwyd yn mhellach ga.n y Parch. D. G. Price, Llwydcoed. Yr oedd ef yn colli cyfaill didwyll "genuine." Yr oedd Mr. Thomas wedi bod iddo ef yn gynghorwr a chyfarwyddwr. Pa agosaf elai ato, goreu i gyd oedd ei gymeriad yn ymddangos. Gobeithiai y dewisid rliywutt teilwng o Mr. Thomas i ddyfod l lairw ei le. Y Parch. T.Humphreys, Cwmamftn, oedd y siaradwr olaf, a dywedodd fod Mr Thomas yn frawd trwyadl; pa agosaf ato goreu i gyd oedd, yr oedd yn gloewi o hyd. Yr oedd y cymeriad gafodd gan yr eglwys yn brawf ei fod yn ddyn Duw. Cafwyd can (wedi ei chyfansoddi gan Mr. Evans, Bwllfa) gan Master J. Evans, mab Mr. Evans, a sicrhaodd gymeradwy- aeth wresog y cyfarfod. "Beth fydd y bachgen hwn?" oedd yn dod i feddwl llawer wrth ei wrando. Dibenwyd cwrdd dyddorol, lion, a lleddf drwy ychydig eiriau gan y llywydi a chanu "'Nawr, 'madael ydym, Ar- glwydd eu." Anerchiad Cyflwynedig i'r Parch. Wm. Thomas gan Eglwy6 y Bedyddwyr Nebo, Cwmdar, Aberdar. Anwyl Frawd,— Gyda phleeer y dymunwn gyflwyno i chw; yr anerchiad hwn, fel arwyddo barch tuag attoch, a dangoseg o'n gwerbh- fawrogiad o honoch, pan ar roddi i fyny eich gofal gweinidogaethol o bum' mlyn- edd ar ugam yn hanes yr eglwys hon. Cawn pan nad oeddech ond ieuango daeth awydd ynoch i gydymffurfio a thelerau y Testament Newydd, ac mewn canlyniad bedyddiwyd chwi yn Aber-Arad gan y diweddar Barch. Benjamin Thomas (Myfyr Emiyn), ao ymaelodasoch yn Hen Eglwys y Graig. Yn y flwyddvn 1873 symudaaoch i Aber- dar, ac ymaelodasoch yn EglwY6 Cal- faria, dan weinidogaeth y diweddar Barch. Ddr. Thomas Price. Yno annog- wyd chwi i ymarfer eich dawn fel pre- gethwr, a chawn chwi yn fyfyriwr yn Ngholeg Hwlffordd yn y ffwyddyn 1878, lie y buoch yn llafurio am bedair blyn- edd. Yn y flwyddyn 1882 ymgymerasoch a gofal gweinidogaethol yr Eglwys hon. Pan gychwynasoch eich gweinid,ogaeth yn y lie, nid oedd nifer yr aelodau ond ychydig o weithwyr tlawd, yr oedd nla6- nach yn araf a gwael, a thlodi yn llanw y tir. Nid oedd eich cyflog am amryw flynyddoedd wedi dyfod yma yn ddigon i gadw oorff ac enaid nghvd. Swm y ddyled yr adeg hono oedd tua C960. Yn ystod eich bugeiliaeth, diddyledwyd y capel, a chawsom y pleser o ddathlu Jubili. Yn fuan ar ol hyn adgyweiriwyd yr adeilad a'r vestri, ac awd i gost o .£1,000, ac erbyn heddyw mae yma gapel hardd, y ddyled ond ychydig, a'r eglwys yn fwy llewyrchus nag y bu erioed. Yr ydych wedi cael y framt o fedyddio tua 200 o gredinwyr proffesedig yn yr Efengyl, y rhai a hyderwn fyddant ar gael yn Nydd Mawr yr Ymweliad. Gwelsom a darllenasom la-wer o erthygl- au o'cli eiddo ar bynciau crefyddol, ae yn er.wedig ar egwyddorion gwahaniaethol- yr enwad. Cawsom fwynhad pur, addysg werth- fawr, ac adeiladaeth sylweddol luaws o weithiau wrth eich gwrando yn pregcthu. Mjnychasoch a Tjlileidiasoch hawliau yr Ysgol Sul yn ddidor, ond yn nghyfarfod- ydd yr wythnos, y Cwrdd Gweddi, a'r Gyfeillach y gwelsom, a theirnlasom chwi ar eich uchelfanau, ac yma y catr^om ein cynghori, em symbylu, a'n cryfhau, ie, yma dan ddyh'nwad eich geiriau y gwel- wyd "cyrau'r wlad," y teimlwyd ei hawelo-n, ac aroglwyd ei phera-idd-dra laweroedd o weithiau. Nid oes gweniaeth yn eich cyfansodd- iad. Yr un ydych i bawb-cymydog car- edig a sylweddol, brawd didwyll a Christ- ionogol, gweinidog gonest a ffyddlawn i Iesu Grist; ac mae y rhinweddau hyn wedi enill i chwi le dwfn, anwyl. a phar- hans yn ein serchiadau fel eglwys a chvmvdogasth. Gofidus a blin i ni ydyw meddwl rnai sefyllfa eich iechyd achosa eich ymddi- swyddiad, ond yr ydych yn yma.dael o'n plitli gan aeldel adgofion anwyl a melus iawn am danoch. Ein gweddi ydyw ar i chwi eto gael ad- r.ewyddiad iechyd, ac Hydref einioes tawel, a thrigo yn nirgelwch. y Gorucliaf, ac aros yn nghysgod yr Hollalluog. Gras ein Harglwydd Iesu Grist, a cliariad Duw, a chymdeithas yr Ysbrvd Glan, fyddo gyda chwi, Amen. Arwyddwyd dros yr Eglwys gan: — Thomas Pqwell, Evan Evans, William Jones, David Eees, Edfirar Palmer. David Jones, diaconiaid; Hydref laf, 1907."

A Great Day at Aberaman LAYING FOUNDATION STONES OF THE NEW PUBLIC HALL, INSTITUTE AND LIBRARY. The people of Aberaman turned out in laige crowds to witness the ceremony of laying the foundation-stones at the above buUding on Wednesday afternoon. The village had been decorated with flags and bunting of every description, and some of the collieries left off work at an early- hour to witness the event. A procession was started at 4 o'clock from The Oak- lands, the residence of E. M. Hann, Esq., v-hich was headed by the Aberaman Sil- ver Band, under the conductorship of j Mr. R. S. Howells. There ware present; Councillor John Howell, chairman of committee; Mr. James Phillips, vice- chairman; Mr. W. W. Price, hon. secre- tary; Mr. Evan Jones, trustee, and all the committeemen. An open landau followed, in which were E M. Hann, Esq., G. G. Hann, Esq., and Mesdamee E. M. and G. G. Hann. The procession rounded through Car- diff-road and Lewis-street, and thence' back to the Public Hall, where the cere- mony occurred. Mr. John Howell, Greetihill, presided, and delivered an excellent opening speech. He remarked that they had been wishing for such an institution for the" last 40 years. He heartily thanked the committee for their strenuous efforts in connection with this institution, and said that great credit was due to the work- men and their representatives. He hoped that they would have the further help of the tradespeople in general to bring the project to a successful end. He then called upon Mrs. G. G. Hann, Lletty- shenkin House, to lay the first foundation stone on the building, and a beautifully inscribed silver trowel was presented t» this lady by Mr James Phillips on behalf of the committee. Mrs. Hann gracefully performed the ceremony, and the stone was declared to be "truly laid." Mr. E. M. Hann was called upon to lay the- n'ext foundation stone, and he wa,s pre- sented with a, similarly inscribed trowel by Mrs. Eva.n Jones, Nantgwawr House. After the ceremony was performed, Mr. Hann addressed the audience. In ths* absence of Mr. Shaw, of London, the chairman of the Powell Duffryn Co., Ltd., Mr. T. L. Davies, manager of the- Aberaman and Cwmaman Collieries, was- deputised to lay the next foundation stone. He emphasised the need of such an institution in Aberaman, and said that it would undoubtedly prove to be a boon and a blessing to the place. lIe was presented with an inscribed silver trowel by Mrs. J. H. Powell, Danygralg, Aberdare. Next came the laying of a foundation stone by Mr. Benjamin Jones* ex-High Constable, who was presented with a trowel by Mrs. Thomas Roderick, architect. Finally came the laying ot the fifth foundation stone by the follo^" in( officers of the committee: The Chair- man; Mr. J. H. Powell, Danygraig* treasurer; Mr. Evan Jones, Nanlgwa^r House, trustee; and Mr. W. W. Vrib- bon. secretary. Eiach was presented an inscribed silver trowel by Mrs. H. P. Jenkins, Miss Williams (Rock Miss Edwards (Bute Arms), and Mr" Jenkins (The Emporium), respectiively. The Rev. H. P. Jenkins, Saron. £ delivered a few words, and invoked blessing of God in prayer upon the build- ing. Mr. Tom Bowen, Mount Hill-street speaking on behalf of the moved a hearty vote of thanks to th9* ladies and gentlemen who had hin^f taken part in the function that day. felt sure that their institution would b appreciated to the fullest extent, and that it would prove a benefit to the workmen both socially, morally, and intellectu- ally. -A Mr. Edward Howells seconded, and that the building ought to have been 10 existence long ago, but it was never the-" less "better lato than never." Amongst other gentlemen who were, present on the platform were: Rev. J- r Rhys, Bethany; Mr. W. T. Howell (soli- citcr foT th trustees of the Institute)1 Mr. Thomas Roderick, architect; Mr. 10, G. Hann; Mr. Thos. Roderick, accoulat- ant; Mr. David Davies, foreman, anu Messrs. Gwilym Davies and J. E DavieSr of John Morgan and Son, Ltd., the con*, tractors, and Councillor J. H James a»« T. Roberts, grocer. Other ladies who* have not been mentioned were: Mrs. 1)1., M. Hann, Mrs. T. L. Davies, Miss fTastl and Miss Edwards, governesses. The building when completed yj1 measure 101 feet long and 66 feet wide- The hall itself will have seating acconli-, modation for 1,800 people, and there wi1 also be a library, reading rooms, c0IIj* mittee rooms, recreation rooms, swimming baths. The frontage, it 15 said, will be one of the finest of any p-ab- lie buildings throughout South Wales. Immediately after the ceremony the, company repaired to Saron Hall, whercr a public meeting was held, and Coun- cillor John Howell again presided. pe' was supported on the platform by Coun- cillors E. M. Hann, Illtyd Hopkins, Stcnelake, Messrs. J. H. Powell, T. 1J* Davies, Evan Jones, Jas. Phillips, Rev-a. H. P. Jenkins and J. T. Rhys, Messrs' W. T. Howell, Thomas Roderick, archi- tect, W. W. Price, and the committee- Mr. Gwilym Phillips opened the meet"' ing with a splendid rendering of A Soldier's Life." Councillor Illtyd Hop- kins remarked that he was pleased to see Mr. and Mrs. E. M Hann, Mr. and M G. G. Hann, and Mr. and Mrs. T. L- Davies present at that meeting. When he generally met the above gentlemen It wa« in their official capacity as sentatives of the P.D. Co., and as a rule it was' to rectify differences. To-iiightr however, it was upon a platform whid1 was common to all. Guardian Augustus Davies said that after a great many trials they had succeeded in making tllg Public Hall at Aberaman an accoin' plished fact. It would make the people, 3) or 40 per c-ent. more advanced in gen- eral knowledge than they were before- Mr. James, Phillips followed, and relate*' how many unsuccessful attempts to erect, a. Hall had been made within the ia6t years, and the events of this day boa made it the happiest day in his Mr. W. W. Price, hon. secretary, rea» letters of apology from the follow^n for their absence: Mr. A. P. Jones, 0igtt Constable; Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P., Mf- Evan Owen, Cardiff, who had sent 3 cheque for £ 5 5s.; Mr. C. B stantoU (telegram); Mr. W. T. Rees, Maesy ffynoll; and Mrs. J. Howell, GreenhIll. Mm. G. G. Hann had sent a contribu- tion of 210 by letter also.

THE KING OF TEMPERANCE DRINKS ASK FOR SARSO. SOLD EVERYWHERE