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LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS. --

ABERSYCHAN.

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ABERSYCHAN. ENGLISH Ln-E IN THE 16TH CEXTURY, PAINTED BY Bisiiop LATIMER.—A lecture bearing this title was de- livered on Friday evening, at the English Baptist Cha- pel (in aid of the Restoration Fund,) by the Rev W. Walters, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There was a fair attendance, although Friday is not the most suitable week-night for lectures. J. T. Edmonds, Esq., of the Varteg, presided, and (after singing and prayer) intro- duced the lecturer and hi6 subject, by saying that he personally was present as a hearer and learner, and had not expected to be chairman still he had much pleasure in presiding, as he found his Baptist brethren ( always ready and willing to assist the denomination to which he belonged Mr Walters commenced by giving a short sketch of the painter whose pictures he intended exhibiting to his audience. In the small secluded vil- lage of Thurcaston, Leicestershire, in 1480, Hugh Lati- mer, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, and one of Eng- land's Protostant martyrs, was born. The old farm- house in which he was born stands to-day, after the lapse of centuries, just as it stood when Latimer's i father, one of the honest, sturdy yeomanry of England, dwelt in it, brought up bis family in the fear of Gcd, showed hospitality to his neighbours, and gave some alms to the poor. Xeither externally nor internally does the house appear to have undergone much change —without, the rude, strong walls; and within, the j wide, open fire-place, with the chimney corner on either side the beams of solid oak, carved after a primitive fashion, and the oaken staircase and bannister black with age, remain unaltered. One precious memento of him whose name invests the place with renown is also present; an ancient black letter copy of Latimer's Ser- mons in a state of great preservation. It was from these sermons that the pictures hs would pourtray were select- ed. At the early age of four Latimer was sent to school, from thence to the Grammar School at Leicester, and at fourteen to Christ's College, Cambridge. He was sue- I cessful at his studies, and was ordained to the priesthood by the Bishop of Lincoln. As a Romish Priest he was j j earnest in his duties. Resolutely opposed to the doctrines of the Keformation, he, on taking his degree as B.D., preached a sermon against Melanettion. Among: bis hear- | ers was Thomas Bilney, a man of lea;nint nd piety j and a zealous reformer. Bilnev sought a private inter- view withLatimer, aad so deep an impression did his con- versation have, that Latimer said, "From that time forward I began to smell the word of God,and to forsake the school doctors and such fooleries." Latimer from that time became one of the most zeabus of the reform- ers, and several interesting anecdotes of his arguments with Romish Priests were given. When preaching before Kings Henry 8th and Edward 6th Latimer was always earnest, outspoken and sincere, and upon one occasion a sermon he preached before king Henry 8th so incensed that fickle monarch that he threatened the preacher his life was in jeopardy unless upon the following Sunday he recanted his former sermon. The day came, the chapel was crowded with courtiers anxious to hear Lat- imer confess his error. After taking his text he paused a little, then uttered this solilequy Hugh Lat- imer bethink thee, thou art in the presence of an earthly monarch, thy life is in his hands, and if thou dost not suit thyself to his fancies he will bring down thy grey hairs with 4lood to the grave. But Hugh Latimer, be- think thee, thou art in the presence of the King of kings and Lord ef lords, who has told thee, fear not them that kill the body and then can do no more; but rather fear him ttfat can kill both body and soul and cast thee into hell for ever." He then repeated what he said on the previous Sunday with still greater emphasis. This naturally exasperated Henry, who asked him how he had dared to insult him ? The fearless preacher replied, "I thought if I were unfaithful to my God, it would be impossible to be loyal to my King." The king em- bracing him exclaimed there is one left who is bold and honest enough to tell me the truth." After glancing at the men of note in the sixteenth century, an effective picture was drawn of the imprisonment and execution of Latimer, who died showing the courage that bad characterized him through life. The Church at this time was low in moraJs and influence, the Prelates did not preach, numbers of the clergy were non-resident, and were called "strawberry preachers," their parochial visits coming like that fruit, once a year. The habits of many of the clergy were hawking, hunting, pIa) ing dice and cards, dancing and carrohng with drunkards. The bulk of the clergy of that day were forcibly described as "dumb dogs." As a natural consequence superstition was rife and infidelity rampant. Public morals were low, drunkenness, impurity, and swearing were fearfully prevalent. The law was all but impotent, and bribery was carried to such an extent, that judge, jury, and witnesses were not unfrequentlv bribed. After alluding to some of our modern practices of bribes at elections, it was shown that our forefathers were as clever then as we are now. Wives took bribes for their husbands, servants for their masters.patrons took bribes for livings. In many respects the sixteenth greatly resembled the ninteenth century: there weie mixed wares (adulteration) false wares, and false weights. Brewers adulterated their beer, Shoemakers used bad leather and bad work, Ostlers charged for provender the horses never ate or saw, Cloth makers stretched the cloth and thickened it with shoddy, Cattle dealers sold barren cows as milkers, taking a bor- rowed calf to the market with the barren cow, Smug- glers thrived, and as a climax, men made a false return of taxation. The amusements of the age were the festival of Robin Hood, dancing, howling, hawking. Hunting and archery were popular sports. Latimer especially commended the last as a useful and manly exercise. The ladies, strange to say, followed customs of dress familiar to us all hoops of uncommendable size were worn, and "chignons" equalling in size and uncouth appearance those of this enlightened age were the fashion. Lati- mer also drily remarks that some of the wives of that day were "quarter-masters, nay half-masters; yea, some of them will be whole nasters and rule the roast as they list!" (What say Benedicts of these days on this matter ?) After citing some quaint proverbs of Latimer's time, the lecturer concluded by eloquently enforcing the importance of moral and religious train- ing.—A vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by the chairman and seconded by the Rev S. Price and a vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by Mr H. Lewis and seconded by the Rev W. Walters, who, in responding, alluded to the very long friendship he had enjoyed with their pastor, Mr Price, who was a popu- lar preacher in Pembrokeshire when be (the lecturer) was a little boy. PRESENTATION. — On Thursday, the 12th, a public meeting was held at Siloh congregational church, in order to present the pastor, Rev W. A. Griffiths, with a testimonial. In the afternoon the Sunday-school chil- dren bad their annual tea. In the evening a large audience enjoyed the recitations and choral singing, and witnessed the presentation. Mr John Daniel, the deacon, read the following address :— Reverend Si)-Pe)-mit me, as a representative of Siloh church, to address you in the following icords. Since you settled as pastor over this church, the spirit of union and brotherhood has existed between us. Your disinterested- mss and perseverance with the good cause in the locality, the success attending your ministry, us icell as your tho- rough christian deportment, has proved you to be a "good minister of Jesus Christ." The success of this church in number, and its progress in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, has convinced us that you deserved a substantial! P)-oof of oit)- estiniation towards you. And ive hereby pre- I sent vou with these BOOKS to enrich your library, and this FURSK to enrich your pocket. Also we as a church promise that hereafter we will "stay up your hands" by our contributions, our prayers, and our christian pro- gress. We heartily wish you a long life of usefulness and happiness." The Rev Mr Griffiths thanked them warmly for their kindness towards him ever since he was amongst them, and hoped so long as Providence would keep them to. getlici-, they would keep the union of the spirit in the bond of peace." He did not mean to say that the church was perfect, but he was glad to find them abounding in the grace of cllristian liberality. He believed that the greatest mistake a church can commit is to be niggardly to their pastor. The sea could not supply the clouds with means to vivify the parched ground with refresh- ing showers, if the rivers were to withdraw their sup- port: so the minister could not shower divine truths upon the congregation unless the streams of christian liberality were to supply him bodily and mentally. --Several neighbouring ministers were on the platform, Revs R. Jones (Pisgah.) 1. Pritchard (Noddfa,) and D. M. Davies (Varteg,) and they addressed the meeting.— Many churches give testimonials when the ministers go away, but Siloh wc-s wiser they have sown the seed and expect to i,eai) liarvc-st they presented their minister for slaying witb them.—Correspondent. LODGE ANNIVERSARY.—On Saturday last the mem- bers of the Loyal Rhosyh Glan Ffrwd Lodge of the in- dependent order of Oddfellows, held their anniversary at the house of Mrs Davies, Lion Hotel, when upwards of 60 members sat down to an excellent dinner, pre- pared by the worthy hostess After sufficient justice had been done to the good things set before the com- pany, the cloth was withdrawn, and iNIr T. Winstoll was called to the chair, and Messrs M. Morgan and P. Fitz- gerald were appointed vice chairmen. The usual loyal toasts were then drunk after which the very excellent band engaged for the occasion played some favounte airs, which added much to the enjoyment of the even- ing. Several addresses and sentiments suited to the occasion were also delivered by P. I)rov.G M. D. Thomas, Mr T. Howells, and others; H ,d the whole of the pro- ceedings were of such a character as to leave a pleasing rcraeinbrance in the minds of all present. ¡"

BLAENAFON

NEWPORT.

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