Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
3 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
THE PRESENT EPOCH IN WELSH…
THE PRESENT EPOCH IN WELSH THOUGHT. The Rev. Dr. Hartwell Jones delivered an interesting and instructive address on the above subject before the Guild of Graduates at the University College, Cardiff, on Wednesday last. The progress of Welsh culture, remarked the Dr., had been marked by successive epochs, which had profoundly influenced the history of Wales. First, the Roman con- quest introduced the Briton to a new world of ideas. The monastic institution re-com- bined the scattered fragments of the old world's wisdom and kept the lamp of learn- ing alight in the Dark Ages. Next came the Norman, who introduced French art, science, and letters, the highest culture known at the time. Under his patronage the Latin Orders introduced a fresh element into the cause of civilisation. At length the Reformation emancipated the Welsh mind and stamped it with a form that it had borne ever since. But not at once. For pre-Reformation ideas and usages remained on undisturbed in rural Wales fifty years later than in other parts of Britain. Viewed philosophically, these eras or stages might be described as the era of poetry, of which the Benedictine was the highest expression; next, the scientific, including the scholastic philosophy and the Reformation. Last came the era of practical education, of which ecclesiastical politics afforded an illustration. And now Wales had arrived at another landmark in its intellectual development. The country was studded with elementary schools, national colleges, and a national university, which gave Wales the appearance of an educational Utopia. But they were still in a transition stage. The Welsh were dis- tinguished by quickness of apprehension and impressibility, as witness the vivaciousness of the Welsh character, the liveliness of Welsh writing, descriptive power, poetic conception, and eloquence. Akin to this was their power of imagination. The Celtic sentiment had imparted to English literature a peculiar refinement and delicacy. A third character- istic was their laudable love of knowledge. Taking education as a whole, it might be said that the claims of the various branches of knowledge were being adjusted; and education now aimed at the orderly, sym- metrical evolution of all the higher powers and tendencies in human nature, and unfold- ing them in their just proportions. Passing on to consider the prospects in the future, the lecturer asked what results were likely to ensue upon this change of perspective in the Welshman's outlook. The bent of the Welsh mind, generally speaking, notwithstanding brilliant exceptions, leaned towards culture rather than science, and there seemed to be a reasonable presumption that this bias would continue. That was the experience of teachers in the Welsh districts of the Princi- pality. The Welsh University had faced the situation. Its theological department was one of its most promising features, and students of the various denominations had not been slow to avail themselves of the advantages. Had the Church done so ? Principal Reichel had maintained the con- trary, and took a gloomy view of the pro- spects of theological study in church circles. His proposals that future clergymen should pursue their secular studies under the auspices of the Welsh University, were not new. That great figure, Dean Vaughan, whose advent to Wales bad been an epoch, and his death an eclipse, foresaw the diffi- culty. And, surely, it was an anachronism and a deep injustice to the Church, that they should allow an endowment of Y,30,000 to go by default, and not embrace the opportunities afforded. Was it too much to hope that some patriotic Welsh Churchman, like the Bishop of Llandaff, wauld insist on the Churches also being allowed to enjoy their privileges ? The movement in the Welsh University for the encouragement of research had been justified by results; but there was room for more, especially for the preserva- tion of the dialects, legendary lore, and floating traditions, which were gradually giving way before the advance of Materialism and Philistinism. He hoped that some Welsh Walter Scott would arise and do for Wales and, say, Owen Glyndwr, what Scott had done for Scotland and the Pretender.
THE CYMMRODORION.
THE CYMMRODORION. Lecture on Howel Harris. An interesting lecture, on the famous Welsh reformer, Howel Harris, of Trevecca, was delivered before the members of the Hon. Society of Cymmrodorion, at 20, Han- over Square, on Thursday, April 15th. The lecturer was the Rev. M. H. Jones, B.A., Trevecca College, who has been studying the life of this celebrated divine for some time past. The famous historical records of Tre- vecca College Library, and the celebrated Howel Harris Diaries bearing on the many matters that he referred to in his paper, have been thoroughly examined by him. Howel Harris, as a patriot and citizen, was the main subject of his address, and he remarked that the beginning of the modern awakening of Wales was to be sought for in the Life of Howel Harris, and a perusal of his diary showed that to a great extent he was the creator of modern Wales. It was true that he was not the only leader in the 18th century Welsh awakening; but a close study of his life-work was indispensable for every historian of that movement. His work as a Revivalist and organiser formed an important factor in the inception of Welsh Methodism. The establishment of Harris's Social Community" at Trevecca formed an interesting link in the story of the industrial revolution in Wales. It was the precursor of Robert Owen's industrial experiments; and the Breconshire Agricultural Society, which was said to have originated in a suggestion of Howel Harris's, was the, first to apply scientific methods to industry in Wales. He was a man of stormy passions and uncon- querable will, and his diary revealed a life- long struggle to subject himself to "the grace of God." At one period in his life he was an enthusiastic revivalist, at an another he was captaining a Militia corps throughout East and South-West Britain to keep in check the threatened invasion of Romish France. He started as the preacher and organiser of Welsh Methodism, and yet remained a faithful adherent of the Church of England till his death. He co-operated freely with Whitfield, Wesley, Lady Hun- tingdon, and contemporary Welsh revivalists, yet followed the example of the Moravians in establishing a religious community at Tre- vecca. Hitherto it was the religious aspect of his life that had been studied, and most of what had been written concerning the great Reformer was mainly based upon the autobiography of 1871, whereas the Trevecca MSS. remained a practically unexplored mine of information. The lecturer then traced the life history of Howel Harris. He formed his first Methodist Society at Wernos, a farm in Llandyvalle parish, Breconshire. about May, 1737; met Whitfield in 1739, and helped to spread the religious revival throughout Wales and parts of England in 1743 Welsh Methodism was organised, and the first Association was held at Watford in 1745 there were signs of disruption between Harris and the other Methodist leaders, and in 1751 he broke off with Methodism as an organisation. In 1752 the Reiigio Industrial Community at Trevecca was established in 1754 wool-spinning was commenced, and in 1755 Harris appealed to Sir Edward Williams, of Gwernyfed, to start a Breconshire Agri- cultural Society. The rules of the Trevecca Family were formulated in 1756. MILITARY SERVICE. Owing to the threatened French invasion, Harris at this time offered to equip 10 men, five of whom left Trevecca and joined Anstrather's army, fought under Wolfe at Quebec, and afterwards at the siege of Havanah. Hugh Davies, the only survivor, returned to Trevecca in 1763. In 1759 Howel Harris joined the Breconshire Militia on the condition that he be permitted to preach. He took 24 men with him from Trevecca, and was himself made ensign and later a captain under Sir Edward Williams. From 1760 to 1763 he was with the Militia at Yarmouth, Bideford, Torrington, and other places, but returned to Trevecca after the Peace of Paris. In 1767 he superintended the transformation of Trevecca Isaf Farm- house into a college building (opened the following year for Lady Huntingdon). In 1769 occurred the first anniversary of Lady Huntingdon's College, and Howel Harris, after 17 years' seclusion, met with his former friends of the Methodist revival, and remained on friendly terms with them till his death, in 1773, when he was buried in Talgarth Churchyard. In 1842 the building at Trevecca was bought by the South Wales Calvinistic Methodist Association, and opened as a theological college and in 1847, Wm. James, the last of Howel Harris's family," died. Mr. W. E. Davies, who presided, in the absence of Mr. G. T. Treharne, F.S.A., remarked that, whilst Howel Harris was stationed with his regiment at Great Yar- mouth, he founded a church, which is still in existence there. An interesting discussion followed, in which Mr. E. D. Jones, Fishguard, Rev. D. T. Davies, Mr. Jenkin Thomas, M.A., Mr. E. A. Lewis, D.Sc., and Mr. D. R. Hughes, took part.
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THE Aberystwyth Skating Rink Company, Limited, has been registered with a capital of Y,1,000 in 11 shares. The one thing that is needed now to complete the equipment of the town is a prize-ring for the councillors. DR. CAMPBELL MORGAN and his assistants at Westminster Chapel have been spending the week in the Rhondda Valley. CRITICS of the Welsh triple harp cannot have heard Madame Gruffydd Richards, of Llanover, making music with her favourite instrument. The brilliant variations upon Welsh airs rendered by her at the recent Abergavenny Festivities were a revelation even to many who had listened to her be- fore. Most of the variations are unwritten, and are regarded as a family possession, for Madame Richards's father (Gruffydd Del- ynwr), was as great an expert upon the national instrument as his talented daughter. Miss Richards's artistic home at Llanover is one of the sights of Monmouthshire. A Disestablishment convention for Brecon- shire and Radnorshire was held at Llandrin- dod on Wednesday, under the presidency of Professor T. Rees, of Brecon. The speakers included Messrs. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., G. Hay Morgan, M.P., Mr. Fred Home, Rev. J. Hugh Edwards, London, and Principal Thomas Lewis, of Brecon.