The Aberdare Leader

Letters to the Editor. POLLUTION OF THE CYNON. Sir.—I should like to call the at- tention of the Mountain Ash Council to the state of the River Cynon for the last three months. It has been a receptacle of sewage from an open sewer which has broken open at a spot opposite the Middle Duffryn Colliery. I have spoken to two of the Mountain Ash Councillors, and no notice seems to be taken of it, but if they were to take a walk up the puffryn Fields, and see the bQYs bathing in the filthy river, they would be surprised that there has been no outbreak of some disease or other, as bathers are bound to swallow a certain amount of water when bath- ing. When the water is low the slime is seen all over the bank and bed of the river, and the stench is something awful. If this hot weather continues and the nuisance is not abated, I would not like to say what would happen in the town and district of Mountain Ash. Hoping that these lines will have the desired effect, and that the filth that comes down the river from Aberdare dis- trict will be abated.—I remain, C. SIMMONDS. Mountain Ash.

SPIRITUALISM AND ITS MIS- TAKEN OPPONENTS. Sir,—Abercynon is just now in the midst of an exciting storm. Frail and tiny erdits are rocking danger- ously, and undess it abates soon the grave calamity of their foundering is feared. All storms have their cause. The cause of the one mentioned on the sea, of mental and intellectual agi- tation is the realisation by some men that others are the rich possessors of knowledge unknown to them. It is a pity that this should catise all the trouble being it is a matter that can be so easily righted. When one man lacks the knowledge another pos- sesses. the same policy to adopt al- ways is to acquire it. The attain- ments of one in the reglm of know- ledge can always be obtained by another. It may be stated that this is not s6, and that I am assuming too much. That I am not and that the situation is precisely as I have brief- ly indicated will be shown. If the history of the past points out anything it points out that they who claimed to know certain things have always been barked at and abused by those who were not like- wise situated. It is not the man with knowledge, with an expanding capacity, with an extended outlook, with an illumined consciousness, with an unfolded intellect that gets exasperated and confused, that in- sults and condescends to ignoble tac- tics when dealing with an opponent, but his opposite. He, through some mysterious quality in his nature, al- ways measures his fellow with his own standard. That standard is oft- times inadequate, then some feats of reasoning and thinking of a mar- vellous nature is done in order to overcome that. Why such should exist in our midst in our age is diffi- cult to say. Perhaps a little more time for the evolutionary agencies of mankind's mentality to carry on their work may witness the disap- pearance from our midst of this state of affairs. Empty vessels have the deputation of making the most noise, and the .barking dog of being harm- less. The Rev. M. Jenkins preached re- cently on "Spiritualism." Very I ^'eli. he has every right to do that. Had somieone termed it a sermon on the "Derby" he would have been quite as near its subject matter as ■M-i'. Jenkins was with his title. He essayed to criticise and explain away Spiritualism. Did he succeed? Those not qualified to determine says Yes. Those who are know that he Was as far from his object of attack t\ the poles are asunder. What are these qualifications? Why, convers- alley with the question involved, of course. When a shot is fired at an object in space the one who knows where it is situated is better quali- fied to announce the result than he Who does not. The language of those making the attack betrays their not knowing the whereabouts °f their target. It is a rule in rhetoric and criticism that one should be familiar with "'hat he speaks on or criticises be- fore doing so. Had Mr. Jenkins conformed to this elementary but essential rule instead of relying upon the arguments of those as incompe- tent as himself he would have dis- covered that "trickery and fraud, are not convertible terms with Spiritualism. Perhaps this rule is >1 unrecognised factor in the teaching world. If that is so, then jUany of the curious achievements it to its record are intelligible. Spiritualists admit, and have al- ays realised the periodical occur- • orlee of fraud and trickery in their ranks. and it is rather late in the day now to notify us of that. To I ^I'&ue, however, as the Abercynon ^ialecticians do that. because !]aud. etc., is found in Spiritualism, is only that is as logical and sane a.¡., one would argue by a parity of f^asoning that commerce is a fraud because a commercial man occasion- ally stoops to fraudulent acts. The S^e is as substantial as the other. y the Rev. M. Jenkins was to con- duct his life along lines that were the OPPosite to a Christian's life, and p'ere I to interpret and denounce Christianity in terms of his character aud conduct he would be justified in Protesting and exposing my absurd Reasoning and its fallacy as every Olle can easily see. Yet that is pre- S^ely what he is doing in relation to Spiritualism. It is indeed appalling see the undeveloped state of some rnerl, s discriminative faculties. I s°metimes feel it is a pity medical elence is unable to store up brains it does oxygen, so that it may be ^ministered when needed. The "ings committed by the Spiritualist no more Spiritualism than the [ *c'tions of the Christian is Christ- r. I ianity. Moreover, it would material- ly assist our friends to keep their reasoning within lines that would be respectable if they realised and grasped the simple fact that all tricks and fraud have underlying them a substratum of reality, and that this reality always renders. them possible. Just as the physical child speaks its language before it under- stands grammar, so does man in his intellectual infancy reason before he has studied logic-the art of correct reasoning. It is easier to reason and draw conclusions incorrectly than it is to do so correctly. W To make loose and random state- ments is never any argument. To abuse by unwarranted assertions never strengthens one's case. To make sweeping condemnatory gener- alisations from isolated particular cases revcals to the cultured and balanced mind the incapacity to see issues in their right relation. To vociferate and indulge in pedantic cynicism is to betray the total sub- mergence of dispassionate calmness and self-possession in the seething tea of prejudice and short-sighted ness. To infer that one's lack A knowledge of light and understand- ing on life's recondite problems is necessarily another's is surely to make an awkward blunder. These unfortunately characterise the Aber- cynon campaign in its effort to ob- struct the dawning upon the minds of men the immortal truths of Spiritualism. What a holy, what a divine mission it is to endeavour to persuade people to remain in the darkness and believe in a future life when nature contains provisions which, when man avails himself of them, will enable him to have the knowledge of it and live in the light. To abuse is always to admit the frail- ty of one's case. "An act of in- justice," says Maeterlinck, is al- ways a confession of weakness." Evidently Mr. R. T. Evans had not heard of the distinction Humboldt drew between the wise man and the fool when he rushed into print and penned you his letter. His cause needs some intellectual philanthro- pists, so I will act one and give it to him. He may find it of great use. It is as follows: The wise man heard, investigated, and decidea the fool-decided." Indeed, this can be commended to all the minis- ters of Abercynon taking part in this attack, as they all admit no direct or first hand knowledge of Spiritualism, and have persistently declined invi- tations to investigate its claims. It is well perhaps that they decline as to do so would necessitate some solid thinking, and that would be a pain- ful catastrophe. Little requires to be said bearing on Mr. Evans' letter. Every bud- ding critic with distorted faculties marshals this nubulous claptrap for- ward with feelings of defiance. One is as familiar with the manufactured argument as he is with the wet weather. He supplements Mr. Jen- kins' interpretation of Spiritualism with "devilry." Carlyle was not far wrong when he held that this im- portant phantom only troubled and haunted the unthinking and inactive mind. A word is necessary re the assertion that Robert Dale Owen be came insane through Spiritualism. This is entirely misleading, and is only one instance of things being twisted to suit one's end. He with others discovered that the Holmes supplemented their natural powers with artificial methods, and it pained him to see truths that were sacred te. him desecrated and trampled un- der feet, with the result that his health broke down, as he was on in age then, and for a time was in a Sanatorium. Maskelyne's account implies that he ceased to be a Spiritualist. That again was the case. We can well understand Mr. Maskelyne chopping things up v.hen we keep in mind the .blunders and failures he has made in his efforts t demonstrate as untruths the truths of Spiritualism, and some of us also know how he has had cu face reverses and exposures of desultori- ness in the law courts in on to those efforts. --&L A word in closing about tIt Rev. F. Swainson. His challenge is a clever one He embodies profound philosophy. He .undertakes to show that all mediums are frauds. He. knowing no different,' would not do otherwise. There are, according to him, no mediums, so what he offers to do is to show that what does not exist is a fraud. Clever man! He had better keep his P,25 as, when he awakens and realises the tangle he is in, it may assist him out. If I knew nothing about a musician. I could without any risk whatever challenge freely and offer to show that if there was such he was a fraud. Allusion has been made that Spiritualism is not supported by the Bible. Next week I shall deal with that, and show the substantial sup- port it gives to what Mr. Jenkins has thought it wise to <teagnate "trickery, fraud" and kindred non- sensical verbosity. I shill after- wards show Spiritualism's relation to science and Christianity -Yours. etc., I G. E. OWEN. DEARTH .OF WATER IK KM>- TOWN. Sir,—Kindly allow me, es f rate- payer, to draw the attentic • oi the medical officer of health for the Moun- tain Ash Urban District Ccumeil, the District Councillors of that. and especially the Councillors Troir. Abei- eynon, to the great scarcity of water in those houses owned by the Carne- town Cottage Company, and supplied with water from the comply"s- own private reservoir at Cameron n. For days the cottagers in the plfccted area have been carrying water iroro --ii)er- dare Road from taps supplier] with water from the Mountain Ash, "Crban District Council reservoir. Such condi- tion of things is injurious to the health of tho community as a who-1!, and will naturally end in an or plague breaking out. The miller, ,¡; have their daily bath; the child-Te, washed; food cooked; clothes washed, and the lavatories flushed, and the company's supply of water is insufficient for all these. Perhaps some ardent social re- former at Abercynon will bring the matter to the notice of the M.P. for East Glamorgan, and have the question asked in Parliament: Why the Carne- towii Cottage Company, Abercynon, is allowed to receive water rate when their private reservoir is inadequate for the purpose?—I am, etc., RATEPAYER. July 1st, 1913.

ABERCYNON AND SPIRITUALISM. Sir.—So "Seeker of Truth is "awaiting a reply" to his cleverly- constructed and superficial letter. A reply in the same strain as his im- pertinent (I use this word in its original sense) mud-abounding epistle I cannot bring myself down to give him, and an adequate answer to his statements 1 will not deign him, for reasons I shall note further on in this letter. But lest he should imagine that silence means surrender; that his dirt- encrusted masterpiece of last week is an unanswerable defence of Spiritism (beg pardon. Spiritualism—my colossal ignorance again !), and that by avoiding the real issues and sheltering behind quibbling statements, unproved and unprovable dogmatic assertions, and personal allusion he has dis- couraged all opponents of Spiritism, it may be well for me to indicate a few of the many inconsistencies and mis- statements to be found in his letter. Poor blind groper for truth! He fails to see that my first letter "has touched the point at all." Naturally; still another example of H None is blind as those who won't see." He is evidently piqued at my analysis of his first letter; therefore, for his own sake—lest he should get "really and truly" angry this time—I will attempt no such I analysis of his last letter. Indeed, were such an analysis attempted I donbt if there would be anything left in a very short time, this outburst being, in my opinion, less substantial even than his first fairly sensible letter. However, let me note a few in- accuracies and false (ieductions:- (1) He starts off (his real beginning, of course) with suggesting that I copied my statement about Goethe from Mr Swainson's book. Mr Swainson does not mention Goethe's name even, as he will find out, if before condemning the book, he will condescend to read it. 1 shall be very pleased to forward him a copy of this pamphlet, should he de- sire it. (2) Again, he asks me what Goethe said afterwards, and "for my en- lightenment" very kindly quotes some vague passage from somebody some- where. Now, sir, seeing that Mehr licht. mehr licht" ("More light, more light") were the -great poet's dying words—the final expression of his philosophy—I fail to see how I can be expected to know what he said after- wards. Indeed, sir. how any man can say anything after his last words beats me completely. But, of course, I have had no intercourse with the spirits of the departed. (:r> Further, he asks if it was in a vision that I saw him to be a Spiritist, j Had he read my letter intelligently he need not have penned that question, for I stated distinctly that it was his t letter in the part where his innate honesty asserted itself, etc., that showed me what he was. (4) After naming W. Crooks (he the all-knowing—here confuses the labour leader with the great scientist, for he means Sir W. Crookes) as an authority I whom I have quoted (another mis- statement; I quoted nothing from his works), he asks why I do not quote some authorities on the other side! What depth of ignorance'. lie should have known before that Sir William Crookes was a. champion of his side, even though he failed to conclude that from the connection in which his name was used by me in my last letter. Again, sir. why drag in Professor Lodge, Mr Balfour, and others of his distinguished friends to support the testimony of spooks. w are themselves able to provide the hungry sheep with "wholesome food" like this: We cannot proceed because there are un- believers here"; "If you knew, why did you ask the question?" and "Ask me something sensible." Gems, sir, these, from the spirit-world. "The hungry sheep look up and are not fed." He says, "I do not know the differ- ence between Spiritualists and Spirit- ist- Quite correct, sir. His first correct .statement, by the way. I con- fer my absolute ignorance of this differ- ence. I do not know the difference. neither does he, there being none. I am then alleged to have advised him to read his Bible. Still another mis- statement. as you will find on consult- ing my former letter. I did nothing of the kind, but left that to his own con- science. Were he conscientiously seek- ing for truth, he would not need to be told to read the Scriptures. Having expressed his sorrow that 1 should be a "one-eyed man," quoting only men of one side, he now expresses surprise that 1. a Nonconformist, should be broad-minded enough to take heed to the sayings of a Churchman! What strange gymnastics! What startling tricks of dialecties withiu a few lines of each other! His superior dpgmatic assertion that "I myself do not know anything about this." together with his cool sugges- tion that "knowing nothing of it. 1 should leave this matter alone," I value at th«r full value, paying due re- gar-i to their anonymity and the tact that they have emanated from the brain of one who is either too cowardly or too ashamed of the attitude he has taken up to sign his proper name t,o his excellent contributions. The in- consistencies and mis-statements noted briefly above, which, together with many similar ones to be found through- out his letter, might be enlarged upon, are enough proof for me that the anxious, conscientious, never-resting seeker has but glanced (superciliously, probably) over my letter, and not under- stood one quarter of it. This, sir, coupled with the fact that my utter detestation of anonymous writers, as distinctly expressed in my last com- munication, has not yet penetrated the seemingly, externally, well-protected stronghold of my friend's brain is my reason for not attempting to reply to his letter in an adequate manner. I beg to thank him for saying that, in his kindness, he will trouble me no more, and I can assure him that until it strikes him that I wish to have no dealings with anonymous letter-writers and careless letter-readers, and until it occurs to him to sign his letters with the name his parents gave him, he will hear no more from me.—I remain, sir, yours, etc., R. T. EVANS. .25, Fife Street. Abercynon.

ABERAMAN. D. Watkins, b. Choules 7 J. Brown, run out 0 W. P. Jones, b. Choules 4, J. Jones, b. James 1 E. Jones, b. Williams 10 S. Slade, c. Neathy, b. Gibbon 3 J.Lewia,didnotbat 0 Dr. Astbury, b. Gibbon 6 A. Evans, not out 10 J. Williams, b. Choules 7 D. Harries, did not bat 0 Extras 7 Total 55 Bowliug Analysis: Choules, 2 wickets for 11 runs; .Tames, 1 for 8; Gibbon, 2 for 20; Williams, 1 for 5; Barlow, 0 for 4. Whilst the premier team of the .Athletic was at Mountain Ash their Second* were visited by the Mountain Ash Seconds at the Aberaman Park. Aberaman Seconds were defeated by 9 runs. Scores: Aberaman, 40 all out; Mountain Ash, 49 all out.

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Musical Success. We are pleased to note that Mr. T. J. Morgan (Pencerdd Cynon), Cwm- bach. Aberdare, has been awarded a Scholarship at the Summer Term of the Tonic Solfa College, London. The Scholarship gives free tuition in all .branches of music. Mr. Morgan is to be congratulated upon his suc- cess in passing the final examination for Fellowship of the Tonic Solfa College, which is a very difficult Diploma to obtain. The subjects of examination were Pianoforte play- ing. advanced harmony, counter- point, double counterpoint, canon. musical form, musical composition. including the composition of an an- them and part-song, song with piano- forte accompaniment and march for the pianoforte, the composition of a complete Fugue in four parts, orches- tration, etc., etc. The examiners were Dr. H, Fisher. Mus. Dec. (Cantab). Black- pool Prof. Gee. Oakey, Mus. Bac. (Cantab). London Prof. R. D. Met- calfe. Mus. Bac., A.R.A.M.. London Dr. W. G. McNought. Mus. Doc. (Cantab). F.R.A.M., London.

At Fefblon Llafur. Darllener Colofn Liafnr yn "Nharlan y Cwelthlwr" bob wythnos. Nodion a newyddion o bwvs arbenig i lowyr. Pris Ceiniog.—Swydd- fa 19 Cardiff Street. Aberdar.

Cricket. ST. MARGARET'S SECOND XI. V. MOUNTAIN ASH HIGHER STAND- ARD SCHOOL. This match was played on St. Mar- garet's Ground on Saturday last, and resulted in a win for the School by 18 runs. E. Anthony, for the School, took (J wickets for 21 runs, and G. Boulton 3 for 20. For St. Margaret's V. Thomas took 5 for 10, and Y. Thomas 4 for 18. David Lewis fielded well; he very smartly ran out the opponents' captain. Tom Powell deserves credit for his fielding behind the stumper and for his improved batting. Scores- ST. MARGARET'S. E. Lewis, b. Anthony 6 W. Brown, c. D. Lewis, b. -An- thony 3 P. Probert, b. Anthony 8 Y. Thomas (captain), run out 16 V. Thomas, b. Boulton 0 T. Jones, c. D. Lewis, b. Boulton 5 T. Davies, b. Anthony 0 W. Davies, c. T. Jones, b. Anthony 5 D. Davies, c. T. Lewis, b. Anthony 0 B. Powell, st. S. Kent, b Boulton 1 U. Lewis, not out 0 Extras 4 Total 48 HIGHER STANDARD. D. Lewis, b. V. Thomas 11 T. Jones, b. V. Thomas 7 S. Kent (captain), lbw., b. Lewis 3 LI. Williams, b. Y. Thomas 5 T. Lewis, b. V. Thomas 6 Boulton (sub-captain), b. V. Thomas 8 W. S. Lewis, b. V. Thomas 0 ('. Anthony, b. Y. Thomas 1 T. Powell, c. Probert, b. Y. Thomas 9 1). J. Davies, b. Y. Thomas 3 T. Thomas, not out 2 Extras 11 Total 66 League match, Aberaman Athletic v. Mountain Ash at Mountain Ash on Saturday. Scores- MOUNTAIN ASH. U. Williams, b. D. Harries 1 S. Griffiths, b. D. Harries 7 S. Rees, b. D. Harries. 2 H. Mulvev. b. D. Harries 3 A. Gibbou, b. D. Harries 0 H. Choules, b. D. Harries 7 G. Barlow, b. D. Harries 0 L. Neathv. b. D. Harries 0 1. Dtvies. b. W. P. Jones 3 H. James, not out & V. Nicliolls, c. Lewis, b. W. P. Jones 0 Extras 4 Total. 31 Bowling Analysis: lJ. names, o wickets for 10 runs; Dr Astbury, 0 for 12; W. P. Jpnes, 2 for 5.

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years. He felt pleased to announce that Mr James bad been appointed a member of the Welsh Football League. (Cheers.) The speaker hoped that they would continue to work and win, and bring still more football glory to Sweet Abernant." (Cheers.) The following were the recipients of the Welsli League and Troedyrhiw Tourn- ment Medals:—Messrs Charlie Wil- liams (captain), Lewis N. James, David J. Jenkins, David James Jones, Tom Evans, Jack Evans, W. Pegler, Aaron Stiley, Evan Hughes, Idris Phillips, John L. Williams, Tom Jenkins, Tom Davies, Frank Humphreys, John Jen- kinds, Walter Jenkins, and David J. James, the hon. secretary, and D. J. Owen. Special medals for the Troedy- rhiw Tournament were given to Messrs Dan Thomas and Tom Samuel, the trainers; D. J. Jenkins, D. J. Owen. Jack Evans. Tom Jenkins, Tom Davies, Idris Phillips. C. Williams, A. Stiley, Lewis N. James, J. L. Williams, Dan Davies, W. Pegler, D. J. Davies, D. E. Morgan, D. J. James, Jack Evans, and W. Stockton Williams.—In acknow- ledging the cup and medals, Mr Charlie Williams, the captain, remarked that he f'e]t immensely pleaded that the team had succeeded in doing what they had set their hearts upon. That was due to the grand co-operation of the players. -Ali- David J. James, the secretary, re- marked that it was true that the club had had many ups and downs, yet they overcame all the difficulties. He felt gratified to see the cup and medals at last in Abernant, and hoped they would achieve an even greater success next season. The team were all tryers to a man, whilst the committee had done thpir duty in a satisfactory manner. Mention should be made of the work done by Messrs Jonah B. Jones, the chairman; Thomas Phillips, the vice- chairman; Tom Watkins, the treasur- er; the trainers, and the remainder of the committee.—Mr John H. Jones, vice-chairman of the Welsh League and hon. secretary of the Aberaman Foot- ball Club, remarked that it was very seldom that a secretary was a player also. Yet Mr James had been both, and had been a pillar of strength to his club. He congratulated the club, and wished them further success. Mr David J. James sang "The Wedding of Sandy McNab." The meeting closed with the National Anthem.