Penarth Chronicle and District Advertiser

Notes and Comments. S<)ME children playing about the level crossing on Tuesday as the 6 p.m. traiu from CardiiT was coming up, had a very narrow escape with their lives. Not jintil the train was within two or three yards of them flid they appear to realise their danger. Another moment, and they would probably have been cut to pieces. Surely our District Council* with all the powers they possess, can do something to compel the protection of this dangerous spot. If the Council is responsible, then they should not shirk their respon- sibility but if the railway authorities, then no time should be lost in forcing their hands. With the in- creased population in this immediate district, the dangers to life will be increased, and it is a great shame that it should be necessary for some life to be sacrificed before the path is properly protected. IF some men are not born with silver spoons in their mouths, fortune seems to smile pleansantly upon their pathway through life, more especially when they connect themselves with the "Persever- ance Association-" One such example is the brother of our esteemed townsman, Mr rr. Emlyn Jones. From his"early boyhood Mr C. Emlyn Jones took a I deep intArest in .music, and possessing an unusually fine voice, it that with nersr- Vlu, _>erance and care he would become one of iuo country's pride and boast. He has persevered, and laurel after laurel he has won honour upon honour has been bestowed, and to-day he has the enviable distinction of being cne ot the best tenors in the country, lie is now under the finest of all voice trainers in the world- Randegger, and that grand musical director, Daniel Mayer, has secured his services for five years to come. On Saturday last he was engaged singing at the Queen's Ilall, London, and the enthusiasm of the audience was intense. I congratulate Mr Jones, and hold him up as an example of patience and persever- ance to the young people of Penarth.

Eenarth Swimming Club. Through the secretarial indefatigability of M:' J. T. Owen, Glebe-street, a swimming Club in Penarth has at last become an accomplished fact, Mr J. W. Pyman. being the president- On Monday night, at the Railway Hotel, the club held a committee meet- ing, Mr J. Edwards occupying the chair. Besides the committee—Messrs W. M. Douglas, Cash, W. Lee, Edgar I. Evans, and Goodwood—there were present Mr E. 0, Lane and Mr F. F. D. Morgan, ex- Captain and secretary respectively of the Newport Swimming Club, who have rendered invaluable assistance in the formation of the new club. Mr Owen announced that 40 members had been enrolled, that the yearly subscription was 4s, and that the firet practice would be held next Wednesday evening. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Lane and Morgan, who promised to bring down the New- port Club in a month's time to assist in giving a nata- torial display. A hint was thrown out that a local ladies club was in embryo, Mrs Ashley Bird being- the leading spirit.

New Tabernacle Baptist Chapel. fc. LAYING OF MEMORIAL STONE. Ou Wednesday last the neighbourhood of Plassey- street, where the new Tabernacle Baptist Chapel is being built, presented a gay appearance, bunting being displayed in all directions. Not only was there an abundance of flags hung on and around the building el t, el but the people resident in the immediate district, of various denominations, did honour to the occasion by hanging flags from their windows. Very early lu the t, z3 morning the men employed on the new building were making preparations for the great event of the day, viz., the laying of the memorial stone. In the front of the building a large platform was erected, and in order to guard against possible accident, this was well protected. At two o'clock the young people, who during the past fortnighc had been busy with, their collecting cards, met in the People's Hall, Arcot- street, to have their various amount u„„anr envelopes, so that later thej j^jght deposit their offer- mgs on the memon-l stone. The weather ivis all that couirl Toe desired. The sun shone out brilliantly, aL« cnis attracted a large concourse cf people, the street during the service not being available for vehicular traffic. It was very gratifying to the friends of the Tabernacle to receive such marked tokens of respect from the Presbyterian Church, who are this week holding a series of Afternoon Bible Readings, for that, in order to show their sympathy, they held their own services an hour earlier and also to the Methodist Free Church of Cog-iii, who gave up their evening service that they might attend the public meeting in the hall to support their Baptist brethren in their work. The paster of the Church, the Rev W. G. Davies, who conducted the afternoon service, was supported on the platform by Revs. Dr Edwards (Cardiff), J. Stevens ( Wesleyau), 1. 0. Stalberg (Stanwell-road), R. 0. John (Tredegarville, Cardiff), T. Pandy John (Barry Dock), S Robins (Cadoxton), John Williams (Grangetown), John Pugh (Presbyterian, Cardiff), Seth Joshua (Presbyterian, Cardiff), Mr Evangelist Rae (Forward Movement, Cardiff), Revs W. Ross (Presbyterian, Glasgow), C. H. Watkius (Splott-road, Cardiff), II, Harding (Docks, Cardiff), Mr D. Corn- well (financial secretary), Mr Geo. Telford (deacon), Mr D. G. Price (deacon and contractor), Mr Jones (Jones and Thornley, architects), Mr E. Seagrave, Mr Dykes, and a goodly number of ladies. Although the afternoon service was timed to com- mence at three o'clock, it was nearly half-past before the pastor, the Rev vV. G. Davies, announced the hymu- 0 God of Bethel! by whose hand rrhy people still are fed Who through this earthly pilgrimage llast all our fathers led," o 0 A portion of Scripture was read by the Rev John Williams, Grangetown and prayer was offered by the Rev J. D. Stevens (Wesleyan)- The Rev W. G. Davies said he was glad to take the opportunity of expressing his joy at the interest opr which was being manifested in the work by all deno- minations. All sections of the Christian Church were showing their sympathy, and some had made sacri- fices to be present, even so far as to give up their own services. As a denomination they did not object I to water, but God had seen fit to give them a fine [ day, and for this they felt exceedingly thankful It- would be his pleasure to introduce Miss Rees Jones, who had kindly come over to lay their memo- rial stone, but there were two other friends whom he- must first introduce to Miss Jones, Tiz., Mr Jones, of the firm of Jones and Thornley, their architect, and also their brother Mr D. Q; Price, their contractora" and a deacon of the Church (Applause). Mr Jones now stepped forward and presented to Miss Jones a most handsomely engraved silver trowel, with ivory handle, and expressed the plea- sure it gave him to be thus honoured. It bore the following incription Presented to Miss Edith Rees Jones, Cardiff, on her laying the Memorial. Stone of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Penarth. May 22, 1895." Mr D. G. Price, in presenting" the mallet, said Miss Jones, I have much pleasure in asking your acceptance of this mallei, both on account of your own personal worth and also on-acccuat of your dear father. There are also many here among this company who Loid your grandfather in very high inspect- Miss Jones havino- thanked the architect and con- tractor for their gifts, turned to the stone, and care- fully spread the mortar, and then guided it as it was being lowered into proper position. The spirit level having been placed cn the stone, several taps with the mallet were required to get it thoroughly level. This ceremony was watched by those on the platform with an interest very unusual, because of the evident care being- taken by Miss Rees Jones in the discharge of her duty, and her desire to see that it was "well and truly laid before she made her declaration. After this little ceremony, Miss Jones approached the edge of the platform and said I presume you do not expect or desire a sj^eech from me, but I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate you most warmly on this occasion. To out-grow one's surroundings is al vays a good sigu, and your future is full of hope. I little thought when I came here to Sunday School, during- & summer visit to Penarth many years ago, that I should ever have the I zn honour to lay the Memorial Stone of a new and larger chapel. That it is an honour I fully appreciate, and would that some one worthier than I had been found to do it. Nevertheless, it is alway a joy and happi- ness to me to further in any way I can the cause and principles so dear to my father and grandfather. I sincerely hope that God will richly bless all the work of this Church. That here little children will learn to know and serve the Lord Jesus, and that those who are bearing the burden and heat of the day, may here find peace and comfort and everlasting joy. A great many centuries ago, said, that the Church of Christ was founded by Faith, raised in Hope, and finished with Love. That such may be the history of this Church is my earnest hope and prayer. (Applause).. Mr Rees Jones was next called upon to address the assembly. He said he had not come to Penarth that afternoon to make a speech, but merely to ac- company his daughter. He was glad to find such a goodly company around and on the platform—friends b of all denominations—in sympathy with the cause which had brought them together. They were not there alone as Baptists, but as Christians—(ap- plause)— who were anxious for the spread of God's Kingdom upon earth, although they were not ashamed of their principles as Baptists, for they felt a deep interest in the promulgation of their Baptist principles- They were there also as Nonconformists^ As such they had a good history, dating- back aliilo. t as far as the beginning of the earth. Abraham Wf f