The Aberdare Leader

Nodion. Medd Cymdeithas Ddiwylliadol Siloa, Aberdar, raglen addawol ac atdyniadol iaWll. Mae y pwyllgor diwyd wedi sicr- hau gwasanaeth y fath enwogion a'r Parch. Ben Davies, y foneddiges lengar a gwladgar, Eluned, o Batagonia; y ffraeth a pharod Silyn a Aberdar, a'r Parch. D. Jeremy Jones, Mountain Ash. Gwelwn fod y Gymdeithas yn tori tir newydd mewn testynau, yn enwedig pynciau dadleuon. Testyn un ddadl ydyw, A oes lie i anturiaeth yn y byd Sosialaidd?" Llongyfarchwn Gymdeith- as Siloa ar ei gwaith yn troi allan o'r hen lwybrau ystrydebol. Gwelwn fod palas newydd yn Llwyd- eoed wedi ei enwi yn "Nant Coch." Oddiwrth pa nant y cymerwvd vr enw hwn, tybed ? Nid oes un nant o unrhyw liw yn agos i'r ty hwn. Yn ddiweddar yr oedd 27 o ymgeiswyr am y weinidogaeth yn cael eu harholi gan y Prifathraw T. Rees o Goleg Bangor, ac athraw arall, i gael allan os oeddynt yn gymhwys i fyned i Goleg Annibynwyr Gogledd Cymru. Allan o'r 27 cymeradwy- wyd 7. Yr oedd pedwar o'r saith o Dde Cymru. Dywedai yr arholwyr fod yr ymgeiswyr yn ddiffygiol iawn mewn gwybodaeth Gymraeg, mewn gwybodaeth Feiblaidd, ac hefyd mewn pethau elfenol fel rhif a mesur. Dyn helpo pwlpud y dyfodol! Mae prynu hen gyfrolau yn brofedig- aeth gref iawn i rai. Un garw am hen lyfrau ydyw y Gwir Anrhydeddns John Burns. Dywedir ddarfod iddo roddi mil o bunau yn ddiweddar am hen gyfieithiad o Shakespear. Wele englyn cymysgryw a wnaeth un o edmygwyr Lloyd George iddo:- Da'i ergyd, a'r dukes yn darget,—a'r Dery lawr a'i fwlet, (Lords Badger yw gyda'r Budget, Ffraea George a'r suffragette.

Cyfarfod Sefydlu y Parch J. Tudor, B.A. Cafodd y Parch J. Tudor, B.A., cyn- weinidog Soar, Aberdar, ei sefydlu yn weinidog yn eglwys Annibynol Lapford, Swydd Devon, yr wythnos o'r blaen. Yr oedd amryw o weinidogion yn bre- senol, ac yn eu mysg y Parch Daniel Jones, Dawhsh (genedigol o Aberdar), a'r Parch J. B. Williams, Pontfaen. Cafwyd cyfarfodydd hwylus y Sul a'r Llun. I Yr oedd eglwys Soar wedi anfon dau o gynrychiolwyr i'r cyfarfodydd, sef Mri John Rees (Glan Cynon) ac Arthur Davies, dau ddiacon, i ddymuno yn dda i Mr Tudor a'i eglwys newydd, Dymunwn Iwydd i Mr Tudor yn ei le newydd, ac hefyd i Mrs Tudor a Miss Tudor.

Aberdare Valley Golf Club Whitting Cup Competition. The Aberdare Valley Club has recently been presented with its second per- manent trophy, the donor being Mr Morgan W. Whitting, Bodwigiad, Pen- deryn. The trophy is to be played for annually under handicap by members, and held for one year by the winner, who will be presented with a replica. The first competition, over eighteen holes, under medal play, concluded on Saturday.1 Thirty-eight entered, and twenty returned cards, the four lowest net scores (the qualification for the second stage of the competition) being registered by the following Gross H'cap Net Dr Williams 94 14 80 W. G. Thomas. 98 18 80 Arthur Williams. 97 16 81 E. T. Leyshon 102 18 84 W. T. Howell 104 20 84 Rev Sinnett Jones 105 20 85 Harry Powell 105 20 85 Dr Finney 105 20 85 The second stage of the competition I will be played over eighteen holes under aiatch rules during the week. I

Rutualism and False Emotion. C.E. MEETING AT ABERDARE. In connection with the Christian En- deavour Display last week, a public meet- ing was held at Trinity Chapel, Aberdare, on Thursday. The attendance was not large, owing, it was thought, to the rough- ness of the weather. The Rev. J. L. Jenkins presided. In the course of a short address, he made an appeal to Christian Endeavourers not to let their Christian life become stale. Let them not get into a rut. One American had said that the danger of the Church of Christ was "Rutualism," and not Ritual- ism. There was a danger that the church, like individuals, should lose a sense of the romance and freshness of the Christian life. The result of this inevit- ably was that the services became set and formal, and so they held out no prospect of a. gracious surprise. Furthermore, he wanted Christian Endeavourers to study the great social problems of our age, such as gambling, impurity, poverty, sweating, etc. He did not believe he was using language too strong, when he said it was a shame and little less than a scan- dal that hundreds and thousands of Christians—followers of the Lord Jesus Christ—were largely ignorant of the ap- palling conditions under which thousands of their fellow men lived. Ignorance re- garding such facts might be pardonable many years ago, but it was little less than a crime-to-day. For had we not a cheap a crime-to-day. For had we not a cheap press? Unfortunately -it was sometimes a vulgar press, but nevertheless it had the virtue of cheapness. If we knew the actual condition of things in-some homes, I we would recoil with horror and pity, and a sacred energy would be quickened within us to do something for the social and religious life of the people. He would further appeal for strong religious convictions, and in Wales especially they should guard against false emotionalism t'ljci spurious sentimentalism in religion. We should even remember that the end of life was action. Visions were not for our enjoyment, but were to be translated into energy. The Rev. J. Tolfree Parr, one of the great men in the National Christian En- deavour Movement, was then called upon. He oongratulated the juvenile portion for their very able performance the previous evening. He then dealt with the catholi- city of the Endeavour movement, remark- ing that it was undenominational in re- ligion and international in the widest sense. There were C.E. Societies in the Church of England, and were increasing week by week. The movement had now spread practically all over the world. Proceeding, he said that intemperance was still a national curse, though there were some signs of diminishing. Gam- bling was almost as great a curse. Im- purity was eating the heart of the nation. He went on to condemn the Problem Play and the Erotic Novel and the mater- ialism which was rampant in our land. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh were exercising a fatal dominance over millions of our fellow-countrymen, while the vast majoiity of the population never came to God's house to worship. In conclusion the speaker remarked that much could be done to brighten and lighten the lot of the poor and downcast by the wise administration of existing laws, and by new Statutes, such as the Children's Bill recently passed. He was present to bear witness that that Act was working marvels in Darkest London. (Applause.) It was the duty of Christian Endeavour Societies and all the churches to bring England back to God. Their first work therefore was to stop the sup- ply of ungodliness.

Davies & Millward, Plumbers, Gasfitters, Electric Bell Fitters, 51, Cardiff St., Aberdare (Next door to Conway Inn). ( ] Personal Attention. t X Stop oqe Moment. X Oh Dear Doctor must My Darling die? There is very little hope, But try Tudor Williams' Patent Balsam of Honey WHAT IT if Tudor Williams' Patent Balsam of Honey la nis essence of the purest and moot aft- oacious herbs, gathered on the W*l»te HiHe and Valleys in the proper when their virtues are in full psrfnpiiesj swjrf combined with Pare Welsk Heifter- All the ingredieiats are perfectly pttra WHAT IT DOES! Tudor Williams' Patent Balsam of Money Cares Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, Aafckwwfc. Whooping Cough, Croup, mid sll 4iv, ordera of the Throat, Chest, and LttMae Wonderful Cure fur Children's OaufSH after Moleít. It is invaluable to lYIIaJli chested men, delicate women and chil- dren. It succeeds where all other reme- dies fail. Sold by all Chemist* aB4 itoreis in Is, is. Id., and 4m. &d. fcottiar WHAT IT HAS DONA FOR OTRBBB. What the Editor of the Gentlewoman's Court Journal-" aayits — result of the bottles of yoaa splendid Tudor William,?.' B#lsau?t Money la limply marvellous. My moth«sc who is over seventy, although very wstiva, every winter has a bronohial cough whisk is not only distressing but puUs her dows fA lot. It a cone now. With beet winiiee for your extraordinary preparation. W. BROWNING REARDAN, YOU NEED NOT SU-FYZ-RI Diseaoo is a His, inasmuch that If sat rightly, at the right time, it can. I*. » great extent, be avoided. Here iv ibo fp>r»ventativfe. The first moment 1U réut witk Sore. Throat, take a done tt,4 Tudor Williams' Patent Balsam of Honey II h an saved thousandsi It will an jt.'u If is prepared by a fully fgualifteil ahemist, and is, by virtue of its compefif tifsn, eminently Adapted for all saisa d Ccughg, Colde, Bronchitis, Asthma, ste.t it exercise* a distinct influence upas the mucous lining of the throat, windpipe,, and smsdl air raseek, go that riotkisg hut warmed pnre air passes into ike imags. It's tike product of the Hone;roo.¡ chemically treated to get the best resslfta The Children like it. TNBY ASK POE IT: is difiareott from most Medioise*. to Tak-of Cure Quicklyi Fof vocalists and public gpeakers Mt, !i'1!! INII equal, it makes the voice 1M gival « tell, Manuf aeturer s rUD-am WILLIAMS, M.S.P.8., A.i.AftS &»gJytioal and Consulting Chtmist aafi Drugfist, by Bxaminatio*. .tfJSDJCAL ILUJL. AJBBRDAStB "MUCH IN LITTLE." Scientists are endeavouring to reduce the bulk and to render all articles used for food more portable. As a result, you can now carry your breakfast in one waist- coat pocket and the ingredients of a good plate of soup in the other. This result has long been attained in Pharmacy, whilst new and improved methods of selection and concentration have been in- troduced. Although established over half a century, Kernick's Vegetable Pills re up-to-date, and contain the essence of medicinal herbs in their purest form, md, therefore, in the highest degree ::urative. For a disordered stomach, im- paired digestion, sluggish liver, impure olood, a yellow or muddy complexion, jiliousness, etc.. these celebrated Pills He unsurpassed when taken according to ;he directions accompanying each box. Bold in 7^d., 13^d., and 2s. 9d. boxes by all Chemists and Stores, or direct of I I f; RNICK & SON (Limited), The Labor- atory, Cardiff.

Cymdeithas Beirdd Aberdar. 4 Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod rheolaidd cyntaf y Gymdeithas uchod nos Fercher, Hydref 6ed, yn Festri Soar. Llywydd y nos oedd Glan Cynon, ac heb ymdroi galwodd ar Wilym Alma i ddarllen ychydig o ddawn ei awea i'r frawdoliaeth. Adroddodd i ni gan ar "Lusern fy nair. Tybiwn mai melus yr adgof iddo. Can i Angyl- ion Bethl3hem" oedd y llall oecld gan- ddo, ac ni siomwyd ni yng Ngwilym Al- ma. Y cadeirydd, wedi sylwi ar gynydd y brawd (gan mai rhyw flwyddyn sydd er y dechreuodd gyfansoddi), a rhoddi iddo gynghor Elfed, a Downes wedi hyny—dar- llen y farddoniaeth oreu sydd o fewn cyr- haedd iddo, a alwodd ar y camp awenydd arol-gadeiriog Tel i ddarllen pryddest cadair Aberteifi, Awst, 1909, ar "Yr angladd ar y mor." Mae Tel, trwy hon, wedi gwir gyfoethogi llenyddiaeth ein cenedl. Ar lan y mor y ganwyd ac y magwyd Tel, ac Oh! mor eglur y dangos- odd hyny, yn neillduol felly pan yn des- grifio llong yn gadael tir: Dirwynwyd yr angorau Fu'n dal y llong yn gaeth, Ond erys angor serch o hyd Mewn calon ar y traeth. Teflais gipolwg ar y gynulleidfa fechan, a gwelais ddeiliaid Parnassws yn feddw gan yr olygfa odidog. Carem allu dyfynu rhagor, ond ni a obeithiwn y rhoddir hi o flaen llygaid cenedl gyfan cyn hir. Ar- uchel iawn yw y diwedd ganddo: "Ar y penrhyn uchaf acw, Ffydd ddiysgog gwyd ei baner, Chwardd uwch ofnadwyon 'Marw,' Dawns ar fedd crynedig 'Bryder'; Clyw furmuron <.MOl' y Bywyd' Yn y pellder tawel golau, Mor o wydr difrycheulyd, Heb un angladd ar ei donau." Y cadeirydd a deimlau awydd i ategu Bethel (Beirniad Aberteifi, a beirniad- aeth yr hwn brif-fardd a ddarllenodd cyn dechreu o Tel gyhoeddi ei angladd), a mwy na hyny. Canu syniad—dyna lie daw'r bardd i fewn. Nod angen cerdd yw gwisgo syniad mewn mantell dlos symudliw. Dyna wnaeth Tel, ac yr oedd ganddo bryddest a swyn anfarwol yn y clychau didaw wrth odreu ei gwisg1 hi. Ben Vaughan oedd wedi disgwyl yn angerddol am y cyfarfod, am ei fod yn garwr y mor, ac wedi bod yn forwr. Gwyddai y cawsai gan dda, ond ni freudd- wydiodd am un mor dda. Adroddai Tel ei weledigaeth yn berffaith, ond mwy na hyny, gorfodai i bawb ganfod barddon- iaeth ddwfn yr olygfa. Ab Hevin a ddisgwyliodd gan dda, nid am ei bod yn gadeiriol, ond gwyddai am safon Tel er ys blynyddau bellach fel bardd. Pryddest Iwythog o farddoniaeth a phob llinell yn glir—yn hollol ddiangen o esboniad. Exirfab deimlai i bob un oedd absenol golli ftreatJ aneffiniol. Y farddoniaeth gymera'r llwybr at y galon yVr wir farddoniaeth—ac fellv'r bryddest hon. Yr oedd Tel yn urddas i Aberdar, ac a fydd fyth fel ei ewythr Telynog. H. Harries welai brophwydoliaeth Mor- fab yn dod yn fFaith. Ni oeddym yr enill- wyr mwyaf wrth wrando ar Tel. Tel a sylwodd ar symledd caneuon G. Alma. Teithi can—symledd a naturiol- deb. I hyn y llwvddodd Gwilvm. Yna wedi rhoddi pleidlais gynes o ddiolchgarwch i'r ddau arwr, terfynwyd y cyfarfod gyda sylwi mai Hydref 20 y cynhelir y cyfarfod nesaf, pryd y ceir papur gan Ab Hevin ar "Y Gynghan- edd/' a deng mynud o ehediadau bardd- onol gan Darrenfab. Croesaw i bawb.

Gohebiagth. "DUWINYDDIAETH NEWYDD CWMBACH." Mr. Gol,—Gwelais nodiad yn eich papur yr wythnos o'r blaen ar y mater uchod gan rywun ag enw John Knox wrtho. Sylw sydd ganddo am yr hyn ddywedodd y 'Parch. Joseph James, Bethania, Cwm- bach, yn un o gyfarfodydd pregethu Cal- faria, Aberdar. Os yw yr hyn a ddywed "John Knox" am y gwr parchedig yn wir, fe ddylid ar bob cyfrif edrycli i mewn i'r mater. Os mai dim ond yn y 'cysegr' y mae Duw yn gwrando gweddi, gellir yn hawdd roi heibio allor deulu- aidd. Fe ddywed y gweinidog nad oes sail Ysgrythyrol i'r syniad fod Duw yn gwrando gweddi yn mhob man. Ai yn y cysegr yr oedd Daniel, Joseph, Agar, y tri llanc, Jonah. Paul a Silas; hef'vd lesu pan yn ymneillduo i'r mynydd i weddio? Ie, John Bunyan, George Muller, etc. Beth am y cyfarfodydd gweddi ar fwrdd y llongau, ac mewn gweithfeydd glo? Tybed fod Duw wedi colli ei Holl-bresen- okleb ? Os mai dim ond yn y cysegr y mae Duw yn gwrando gweddi. y mae mewn lie caled iawn, oblegid mae yn y cysegr ddynion rhyfedd iawn yn ami. Yn wir, fe grea syniadau o'r fath anffyddwyr yn ein heglwysi yn fuan, ac y maent yn ddigon drwg yn barod. Os nad oes sail ] Ysgrythyrol felly, carwn gwrdd a'r brawd ar faes y newyddiadur er profi yn amgen. Beth am y gweddio sydd mewn cymanfa- oedd, cyrddau chwe' misol, chwarterol srdd yn ein gwlad gan y gwahanol en- wadau? Gwyddoch, Mr. Gol., gyda ni y Bedyddwyr, pe digwyddai un feddwi, neu (Idv/eyd celwydd ar rywun, fe gelai ddod o flaen ei well yn y cwrdd eglwys, ac wedyn dyna ei ben ymaith. Felly, dylai pob aeloel, diacon, a gweinidog gael eu galw i fyny am bob cyfeiliorniad. Mae yr oes hon yn rhy oleuedig o lawer i gael ein harwain gan bob athrawiaeth o'r pwl- pud. Mae eisiau bod yn fwy gwirionedd- ol, heb ofni dweyd na digio neb. Mwy o ddynion tebyg i'r Parch. W. Cynog Wil- liams sydd eisieu yn Aberdar, er mwyn trefn, ac uniondeb, a phurdeb, er adeil- adaeth v saint mewn gwirionedd a gwir sancteiddrwydd. Mae Duw yn wrandawr gweddi yn mhob man; nid yn y mynydd hwn nac yn Jerusalem, ond pa le bynag y byddo dau neu dri wedi ymgynull yn fy enw i, vno yr vdwyf yn y canol."— Ydwyf, BEREAD.

Ystori y Ddau Ddarlun. PENOD III.—(PAEHAD). Meddai hi yn sydyn, "Beth ych chi'n feddwl o Mari Goronwy ? Mae rhyw ddyn dieithr yn 'i dilyTi hi ddydd a nos. Mae nhw'n gwneyd taw dyn o Galiffornia ydyw, wedi gwneyd ei ffortiwn. Ond os taw e', peth od na fydde chi yn 'i na.bod e'. O'm rhan i 'does gen i ddim llawer o feddwi o hono fe. AVyn meddwl taw rhyw rshabby genteel' ydi e' yn treio byw ar 'i wits. Mi gynghorwn i y ferch i heidio bod yn ifol a gwneyd sylw o gre adur dieithr fel yna yn dod ar draws gwlad." Teimlai Arthur y gwaed yn rhedeg i'w ruddiau pan oedd Mrs. Evans yn llefaru. Ni feiddiai edrych i'w gwyneb, ond credai yu sicr fod ei gwedd ar y pryd yn gwisgo yr haner gwen hono oedd mor nodwedd- iadol q honi pan fvddai. yn rhoddi dat- ggniad 0'1' nodion personol arbenig hyny o'i heiddo. Ni wnaeth Arthur un sylw C', r hyn a ddywedodd y wraig, ond cadwodd y cwbl yn ei galon. Y noson hono aeth Arthur am dro i'r pentref, a phwy a gwrddodd yn sydyn ond yr hon a garai unwaith. Buasai gwynebau y ddau ar y pryd yn interest- ing study" i unrhyw un yn cymeryd dyddordeb yn athroniaeth gwynebau. Diau fod gradd o euogrwydd ar wyneb pob un o honynt. Pan ddaefh Arthur ar gyfer Miss Goronwy nis gallai yngan gair, pe lleddid ef. Gyda pliarodrwydd tafocl merch hyhi oedd yr un siaradodd gyntaf. "Welcome home, Mr. Jones," meddai. "Yn gyntaf oil, goddefwch i mi gydym- deimlo a chi yn eich profedigaeth o golli eich mam. Ni chefais gyfle i siarad a chi yn flaenorol." Teimlai Arthur fod colyn yn ngeiriau y ferch ieuanc. Bu y teimlad hwn yn help iddo ddod o hyd i'w dafod. Meddai o'r diwedd, "Do, Miss Goronwy, mi gefais brofedigaeth a cholled, a bron yr un amser mi gefais brofedigaeth arall. Darganfyddais anffyddlonde b mewn un yr ymddiriedwn ynddi." "Pwy ydych vn feddwl ?" gofynai y ferch, gan ddechreu tanio. "Nid y fi, gcbeithio?" "Wei—ie," meddai Arthur, gan grynu ychydig. Ai cyfeirio ydych at y ifaith fy mod yn cadw cwmni gyda dyn ieuanc arall Ac a ydych yn ystyried fy mod wedi bod yn anffyddlon i chi P" U vVel-ydw," meddai Arthur. Yr oedd erbyn hyn yn dechreu teimlo fod yr ornest yn un anghyfartal. "Ai nid yw yr esgid ar y troecl arall gofynai y ferch, gan wisgo mwy o rym fel y cynyddai yr ornest. Y noson gyntaf y daethoch adref ni ddaethoch i'm gweled. Esgusodais chwi y tro hwnw pan glywais fod eich mam yn glaf. Ond daeth yr ail ddydd a'r ail noswaith, ond ni ddaethoch i'm g'weled i, er i chwi fod yn y pentref." Ond fe glywais eich bod "yn myned gydag arall," meddai Arthur, yn falch o gael rhyw arf o amddiffyniad. Nid aethum i gyda neb arall nes i mi gael boddlonrwydd nad oeddych chwi am fy nghwmni, ac hefyd nes i mi gael sicrwydd fod genych ferch arall yn Nghaliffornia. Dyna i chi' A chvèh- vfynodd y ferch ieuanc i'w thaith" yn fuddugoliaethus. Aroswch, Mari Goronwy, taro dan y belt ydyw peth fel yna," meddai Arthur, wedi teimlo i'r byw. Nid yw hyna yn wir. Duw sydd dyst ddarfod i mi fod vn ffyddlon i chwi am v saith mlvnedd v bum ymaith, megys y bu Jacob am gyffelyb dymhor i'r hon a garai ef." "Jacob yn wir! Twyllwr ydoedd ef, ac yn caru dwy. Gellwoh chwi dreio yr un peth, ond nid arnaf fi, os gwelwch yn dda. Dydcl da." A chan droi ei phen yn ysgornllvd aeth Mari Goronwy i'w thaith megys ym- herodres. Mor ffol yr oeddwn i geisio rhesvmu a chreadur direswm fel merch," meddai y gwryw ond nid y goreu yn yr ymgyrch. Yr hyn a'i blinai yn anad dim vdoedd y crybwyIliad angharedig ac anghywir a wnaeth ei hen gariadferch, ei fod yn caru dwy. Gwelai yn yr ensyniad yna law dichell ar lawn waith. (I'w Barhau.)

Letters to the Editor. Letters on any subject of public interest are invited. It should be understood that we do not necessarily agree with the views expressed therein. Corres- pondents will oblige by writing on one side of the paper, and must invariably enclose their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.'

AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE. Sir,—May we use your valued col- umns on behalf of the Aberdare and District C.E. Union to convey our sin- cere thanks to the many friends who have rendered so much help in making our recent Lighthouse Display such a success. We refer to the Conductors, Accom- panists, Stewards, the friends at Carmel, and Trinity Chapels, the parents of the 250 children who took part, and many other people who in various ways helped to make the rally so memorable amongst the juniors. To all such we are truly grateful.—Yours etc. H. G. GERRARD, President. W. A. BEYNON, Hon. Sec.

SHOULD THE MOUNTAIN ASH HALL BE OPENED ON SUNDAYS? Mr Editor,—I would like to draw the attention of your readers at Mountain Ash to a special meeting which will be held soon to endeavour to open our Workmen's Hall on Sundays. It was tried before, but was lost. Now I hope the workmen of Mountain Ash will move forward as other towns are doing, and will consider this question from a fair point of veiw, and think for them. selves. We may be accused of Sabbath breaking. But we are quite as concern- ed for the right observance of Sunday as are those who speak in condemnation of our Sunday meetings. We know the difference between a right and a wrong use of this day and any other day. We know the things which are injurious to social health. But we repudiate the. notion that holding meetings in the hall on Sundays is on par with idleness, riotous pleasure, drunkenness, or even a conventional going to church for the look of the thing. As a matter of fact the origin of the Sabbath and the early custom of its celebration lend no support whatever to the modern, strict, conven- tional practice associated with a narrow form of religion. In the early records the Sabbath was a holiday., a day of rest and recreation, particularly to the slaves in whose interest it was probably instituted. This'day was devoted to certain ritual observances in honour of the gods, but this outward worship was not the only thing which was sanctioned, to the prohibition of every other act. The old spirit which would prohibit many an innocent pleasure still shows itself now and again. Ruskin tells us that in his early manhood his beautiful pictures by Turner were covered up on Sunday by his parents. A peep into most homes to-day would reveal a very different state of things. Let those who will unjustly charge us with breaking the Sabbath ponder over the following facts. Quite respectable Christians, many of whom are supposed to belong to churches never, or seldom, go to a place of worship, yet they will denounce ( us for trying to open the hall on Sun- r lays. On the Sabbath some of them I will play golf and tennis, boat, fish, cycle, lounge about and hold dinner parties. What a horrid thing for us to try to open the hall, so that we may be educated In the matter of observing Sunday no one can be a law unto another. The few have no right to lay down rules for others. To claim any particular way of observing the Sunday as having a divine sanction is contrary to enlightened reason and liberty of conscience. The broad rule is that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day," and what is good is left to the individual conscience to decide. I am sure if we had our hall open on Sundays it would do a great deal of good. Hop- ing the workers will think for themselves and be on the side of progress, and trusting that some of the workers will write and give their opinion on the above subject.—I am, LIBERTY, Mountain Ash.

CHURCHES AND BOXING CONTESTS Sir,—I have been waiting developments in the crusade by Church and Chapel against the Mountain Ash boxing exliibir tion; but I find, only a, series of resolu- tions, to be followed by demonstrations, which we shall be able to judge when we see them. A correspondent suggests the formation of a society for intellectual recreation open to all creeds and to non-religionists; another suggests a branch of the Y.M.C.A. The former will only tee pos- sible when the various sects learn to look on their differences with indifference, and the latter will only attract the religiously inclined; neither will affect boxing. We hear no more of counter-attrac- tions, and I fail to see how that weapon can be used when for years we have heard at intervals from church and chapel alike, the complaint of empty pews, and denunciation of the indiffer- eirce to things spiritual which causes that emptiness. Evidently religion and religious ob- servances are losing their hold on the public. I take this from the public ad- missions of leading preachers, and the reason for this failure to retain their in- fluence may be found in their constant efforts, as in the present instance, to forcibly shape public morality by their own dogmatic opinions, and their habit of adopting what they find it impossible to prevent by opposition, and claiming credit for introducing what they had really opposed. Church and chapel members are stated to number one-tenth of the population, and of these not more than one-tenth have any hand in forming the opinions or policy of their sect. So that one- hundredth part of the populacetries to regulate the lives, tastes, appetites, even the passions of all the rest, with only nine-tenths of one-tenth to back them up. Few average Britons are born with re- ligious predilections. We are all capable of receiving religious impressions, and may assent to all the religious instruc- tions, creeds, and dogmas with which we may be favoured; but having assented, these impressions, creeds, etc., are promptly pigeonholed and forgotten. We may on occasions trot them out, kiss the book and swear allegiance to them, be- cause-that is the proper thing to do to attain respectability; but they do not influence our lives. Hence the pugilist, the footballer, the wrestler, or tKe racer can at any time leave the preacher with empty benches. In all ages excellence in physical exer- cises, in physical endurance, in strength and skill, from simple juggling and acro- batic feats, to mortal combats between man and man or man and beast, formed the most powerful attraction for the mul- titude; and modern athleticism, which is just the old propensities, improved and refined by public opinion and by the dis- coveries of its leading exponents, has got a grip of the public beyond the power of priesthood to loosen. When I suggested that the leaders of the various, religious sects should take the lead in this modern athleticism, I was only suggesting what they will be forced to do later on, and what they have often done in the past when necessity arose. Modern athletics under McFadden, Muller, Sandow, Jona- than Nicholson (who embodies Christ- ianity as a sine qua non in his system of physical culture) and others, is doing away with drugs and will force doctors to become drill instructors; is combating vice in every form, both secret and open; is inculcating temperance and is succeed- ing in making the rising generation prac- tice the temperance which teetotal effort failed to do after trying for a whole century. I can remember the time when a novel was considered an instrument of Satan for man's destruction. Now the religious novgl is an institution, while the religious novelette and the long complete story in the religious periodical enter into com- petition with the penny dreadful. Lotteries were suppressed and gambling of all sorts prohibited by Act of Parlia- ment at the instigation of Church and Chapel. Yet the bazaar with its prize- drawing, its lucky-bag, and in some cases its dice-throwing for prizes, has helped to clear the debt from many a house of God. Members of Christian bodies have been expelled for attending theatres, and the stage denounced as the very ante-cham- ber to hell; yet now the religious play is hailed with pious fervour and the stage recognised as a powerful auxiliary to the pulpit. Ten years ago Socialistic princi- ples were denounced from most pulpits. Even the National Democratic League was preached down, though it does not profess to be Socialistic. Now the churches and chapels are taking Social- ism out of our hands and incorporating it in their religion. The Rev. R. J. Campbell has C3,000 a year for preaching stronger heresy than that for which Thomas Paine would have been hanged a century ago, if the British Government could have got hold of him. All these instances show that my sug- gestion may quite consistently be adopted by our leading Christians, and if they object on the score of brutality, I would submit the following for their consider- ation. About half a century ago the famous Savers v. Heenan fight took place. It was said that early in the fight Sayers had one of his arms entirely disabled and he won the fight one-handed. It was claimed by Heenan's supporters that Heenan, having got Saver's neck jammed on the rope and leaning his weight on it, won the fight because Sayer's friends had to cut the rope to save him from suffoca- tion. I heard the first instance referred to twice in Sunday School addresses as an example of courage and endurance worthv of emulation, while the second was severely condemned by the preachers when discussing the fight, as an instance of Yankee brutality. All over the country the clergy and preachers took as much if not more interest in the fight than the populace. This shews that even holy orders does not' entirely eliminate the savage from man's nature. If there is brutality in boxing there is a million times more in war. Only a nation at- tacked has a right to fight, and then only to defend itself. Yet not long ago Britain occupied the position of aggres- sor, the Boers that of defenders. Both were Christian countries, and both were appealing to the same God to grant suc- cess to their armies. In this case the ei.iswer to prayer came to the aggressor, and again our clergy were busy thanking God for murder and robberv accom- plished; the whole proving that a little mummy can transform the most hrutalising slaughter into a holy war.

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1 Musings-Near and Far. BY A PEER." The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants met in congress at Leicester during the past week, and the general secretary, Mr R. Bell, M.P., has been in for a warm time. It is with pleasure that I note that Mr E. Charles, Pontypool, has been selected as president. Mr Charles is well-known and respected by railway men, having had the honour of represen- ting his fellow-workers at several con- gresses. It is stated that Mr Charles was born at Sweet 'Berdar, and has also been closely connected with Mountain Ash, having served as signalman at that place for some time. It is to be hoped that the society will be led out of troubled waters by the president and general secretary—one hailing from Aberdare and the other from Penderyn. It is a pity that some of the A.S.R.S. members are at variance with their general secretary. Mr Bell is paid as an official of the union and not as an M.P., and it is said he is therefore not respon- sible to his society, but to his constitu- ents at Derby. Although he is not paid in a direct way as M.P., he is indirectly paid. The society relieve him from official duties to attend the House of Commons. Therefore they deserve some little consideration, and it is expec- ted of Mr Bell to coincide with the wishes of the members as far as possible. On the other hand, I believe that Mr Bell should have a little freedom. It is quite possible that he may see another way of getting out of the difficulty. The replies given to the charges brought against him must be given some consideration. He conscientiously be- lieved that he was doing the railway men a good service. Railway men and Labour in general need have no fear that I would not champion their cause at all times, either inside or outside the House of Conamons says Mr Bell in winding up his reply. The Church Congress at Swansea during the past week had one course on the table d'hote—Socialism. Dr Shadwell, London, pronounced it as a chameleon, changing its colour to suit circumstances, and that it is the mortal enemy of Christianity." The Rev, John Wakeford, Liverpool, said that Socialism "is plain- ly the ally of Christianity, and amongst our working class people the best and not the worst, the thinking and not the drinking, are in the ranks of the Independent Labour Party." The Bishop of London said that he agreed with the Socialists that there was some- thing amiss, and shared the Socialist's discontent with things as they are. What a difference of opinion, even among Churchmen The Rev. Conrad Noei, of the Church Socialist League, speaking at a meeting held at the Rhondda Valley, said he was not satisfied with the speakers at the Church Congress either for or against Socialism, The Conservatives of this borough are 0 spoiling for a fight, and after failing with Mr Herbert Lewis, they have invited Mr Fox Davies to stand for the constituency Mr Davies has appeared before the sub- committee, and has given his views to that body, and the probability is that he will be adopted as the candidate. Mr Fox Davies in his address defend- ed the House of Lords and thumped on the Budget and Socialism. No doubt Mr Davies will have a lively time when he comes to face the electors.

Labour Jottings. BY DEMOS." When are the Labour Councillors in Aberdare going to have a defined and united policy with regard to the non-pro- vided school teachers who are asking to lie placed on par with provided teachers? Some members of the Labour Group are desirous of giving equal pay to provided arid non-provided. Others, however, are opposed to this. Why do not the group arrive at a mutual understanding ? It is contended that because individual opinions in the group vary, the matter should be avoided. But if individual opinion is recognised on this subject, why not on other subjects as well? For instance, when the question of the Mar- ried Women teachers came on. individual opinion had to give way to collective opin- ion, and the minority ha,d to toe the line. Socialism and Welsh Nationality is the subject of an excellent article in the October number of The Socialist Review." The author is Mr E. Morgan Humphreys, who declares himself to be a Welshman and a Socialist. He believes in the early conversion of Wales to Socialism, But- and this is his great point-Wales will have to be treated differently to England. To quote his own words, Leaders of the Socialist movement in England can hope-to effect nothing in my country till they know the ropes a little better than they do at present." The author declares that Socialist speakprs who come to Wales succeed, as a rule, in making three great mistakes. They are ignorant of the history of the country, they are ignorant of the language, and they persist in thinking the Welsh an emotional people." Does the writer contend that these Socialist speakers should qualify themselves for their positions by learning Welsh history, learning the Welsh language and study the Welsh temperament ? Or does he mean that those who appoint our Socialist speakers and organisers are at fault because they do not select men who are proficient in these three capacities ? Mr Humphreys appears to dispute the generally accepted theory that the Welsh are an emotional race. That we are very susceptible to religious influen- ces is a certainty. Was not the great religious revival of 1904, which has been discribed as a debauchery of emotion- alism," the outcome of the peculiar Cymric temperament ? Quite true, and yet we are forced to admit the truth of Mr Humphreys' statement that we are, notbwithstanding our Radicalism and Nonconformity, a most conservative nation. How are we to explain this paradox ? Can it be done in this way ? Emotionally we are progressive, but intellectually we are conservative. Or to put it in another way,, the unthinking j. Cymro is liberal and progressive, the thinking Cymro is conservative and slow. Now it cannot be denied that Socialist speakers and organisers, many of them alien to Welsh soil and the Cymric tongue, have made many converts in Wales, especially in industrial districts. Are we then to infer that those who have been converted are the unthinking, whereas the thinking ones are awaiting Mr Humphreys' ideal Socialist mission- ary, one familiar with Welsh history and the Welsh language and one who is convinced that he has to deal with a nation of hard-headed phlegmatic Stoics'? The inference is not ours. It is the only logical deduction from Mr Humphreys' argument. I MrT.Mardy Jones,the newly appointed registration agent of the Miners' Feder- ation, is well known in the Aberdare Valley. Prior and subsequent to his Ruskin College career he addressed many I.L.P. gatherings at Aberdare. He is a most intelligent economist. In the race for the appointment he was very closely run by Mr T. Andrews, J.P.. of Treharris, one of the Labour members on the Merthyr Board of Guardians.

I think I have made it plain that there is nothing to prevent the clerics from taking the lead in athletics and ceasing their opposition to boxing exhibitions. They have recognised the necessity of in- troducing lantern lectures and living pictures into their entertainments; foot- ball, foot-racing, and cricket among their picnic parties; billiard rooms, games rooms, and gymnasiums (query gym- nasia) in their Y.M.C.A. institutes. It is only one step further I ask them to go. They can greatly help to hasten the day when vice, crime, disease, mental and physical unfitness of every sort will be eliminated from mankind. I would like to know why none of the Physical Culturists have taken up this c subject? Why is the defence of athletic- ism left to one old wreck who was old be- fore physical culture began to become popular ?—Yours, etc., CENSOR.