The Rhondda Leader

n Progressof Nonconformity in the Rhondda. Independias Success- New Chapel at Ton. While the labourer toils for that which perisheth, and the speculative capitalist thrusts his science into the rugged hills of Penrhys and Cadwgan, depriving them of their beauty, to bring forth a material which the navies of all nations bid for and while elements of antagonism between Capital and Labour are evident at periods, we find the teeming population of these Valleys faithful to their God and willing to work shoulder to shoulder in the cause of the salvation of man, irrespective of minor differences of opinion. Among the most faithful to the cause of their Master are the members of Bethesda Welsh Con- gregational Church, Ton, who have under- taken to erect one of the finest religious .h_ edifices in the Principality, the memorial stones of which were laid last Thursday, before a crowded gathering of all classes and denominations, by the following, who are all members of Bethesda, excepting Dr. Ed. Hughes:—Miss M. R. Davies and Mr. Morgan Davies, Ayron House Ton (in memory of their father, the late Mr. Jen kin Davies, "whose loss this district mourned a few months ago) Dr. Edward Huglws, Ton Mr. John Morgan, Maindy Rev. J. W. Thomas and Mr. T. A. Thomas (in memory of their father, Mr. T. Thomas, Ton Foundry, one of the founders of Bethesda) Rev. Joseph James, B.A., pastor (on behalf of the deacons and him- self). The memorial stone laying services were conducted by the Rev. Joseph James, B.A., who briefly explained the objects of the church in taking to en- larging its place of worship, after which the Rev. J. Evans, Pontygwaith, opened with reading a portion of Scripture. The Rev. T. D. Jones, Bodringallt, engaged in prayer, after which the secretary, Mr. T. A. Thomas, read letters from several gentlemen explaining their absence. The Revs. J. W. Thomas, Ton, and T. G. Jenkyn, Llwynypia, spoke in appropriate terms of the work done in the district by different denominations, and hoped that the traditions of Bethesda would be kept un in the new building. Presenting the trowels was rather interesting, inasmuch as only the oldest members of the church were asked to make the presentations, namely, Mr. D. S. Thomas Bazaar; Mrs. John Morgan, Maindy; Mrs. Rees, Church Street; Mrs. Thomas, Bazaar; Mrs. Thos. George, Queen Street; Mrs. Hughes, Pleasant View; and Mrs. Wm. Williams. Maindy Road. The recipients of the trowels made very appropriate addresses, touching upon the splendid work which had already been carried on, and their readiness to further it by all means in their power. The Rev. E. W. Davies, Hebron, delivered a pithy address on the unity of the churches and the future of religious work in the Rhondda. The meet- ing concluded with the Benediction, when about 1,000 persons-members and friends —sat to a sumptuous repast at the Work- men's Hall. The following ladies presided at the tables: —Mesdames M. C. Morris, Richard Lloyd, David Jones, John Evans, J. Griffiths (manager), R. J. Davies, Dd. Thomas, D. T. Morgan, Leeky, John Thomas, Isaac Pate, Griffith Jones, Thos. Davies (Frondeg), Edward Jones, Meth. Jones, W. Morris Bowen, Gwen Matthews, David Walters, Tom Morris, Tom Watts, "Davld Roberts, Griffith Jones (Maindy Road), Misses E. M. Morris, Edith Hughes, Lizzie Rees, Mrs. Griffiths (Metexa Street), and Mrs. Howell Evans; (Metexa. Street), and Mrs. Howell Evans; carvers, Messrs. Richard Lloyd, Dd. Jones, George Osborne Morgan, and Handel Morris. The New Bethesda." The new buildings stand on the plot of land in Bailey Street upon which the old chapel formerly stood. The first building erected was a, vestry, built in 1876, the membership then being 37. In the follow- ing year it had increased to 133, when the old chapel was built, costing £ 2,345. To-day the membership stands at 420. The first minister, the Rev. Mr. Jones, who was ordained in 1877, died a few years later. The Rev. M. C. Morris, an eloquent preacher and a poet of note, was ordained in 1882, when the church numbered 172. When, after 18 years of toil, he died, the membership had reached 351. Last June the present pastor, Mr. James, was ordained, and a bright future has dawned, and it is to be hoped that he will be spared for many years to lead his flock into the green pastures." The building has been erected with local stone, faced with blue Newbridge polled facings and dressings of grey Forest of Dean stone. The pillasters, cornices and pediment of the front central portion are of red stone from St. Bees Quarries, Cumberland. The whole of the inside joinery is tp be of pitch pine and mahogany, It is treated in Free Renais- sance style of architecture. The building comprises chapel with gallery all round, minister's and deacons' vestries, and large vestry at rear, with classrooms and library over. Accommodation is provided in the chapel for about 950 persons, and in the vestry for about 300 persons. The cost will be about £ 6,500. The building has been designed by Mr. W. D. Morgan, M.S.A., architect, Pentre, and is being carried out by Messrs. Hughes and Stirling, contractors, Bootle, Liverpool. Letters of apology for absence were read at the meeting from the Revs. J. Wil- liams, Hafod, and J. Pethian Davies, Tre- herbert; Mr. Jacob Ray, J-P-? Treharris; Alderman E. H. Davies, J.P., Pentre; Dr. W. B. Thomas, Ystrad; and Mr. Dl. Davies, cashier (Ocean). All the arrangements were carried out under the supervision of the Building Committee, the joint secretaries of which —Messrs. T. A. Thomas and John Davies —are to be congratulated for the admir- able arrangements made and carried out. Yr hen bethau aethant heibio; wele, gwnaethpwyd pob peth yn newydd."

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A Treherbent Hero. Died in the tfFort to Save Others A Timely Suggestion. Arthur Norman, a, young collier, 20 years of age, residing with his parents at 63, Baglan Street, Treherbeit, met with a tragic end on Saturday night whilst attempting to stop a runaway horse. It appears that deceased and his bro- ther Albert were going through Bute Street, Treorchy, on their way home. Deceased carried a pair of boots under his arm, which have subsequently been stolen. Near the (Jardiff Arms a mineraal watpr cart, belonging to Thos. Lewis, Treorchy, Was driven at a slow pace down the street by D, O. Davies. Coming in the opposite M direction was the Cwmparc Silver Band, J| and as the latter struck up," the driver ii proceeded to get out to the horse's head, when it bolted. The driver immediately held to the reins to pull the animal up, but, unfortunately, the reins snapped. A number of children were playing on the road at the time, and seeing their danger, young Arthur Norman pluckily ran to the horse's head and attempted to stop it, but he was knocked on the head by the shaft and fell to the ground under the vehicle. He was immediately conveyed to the Cardiff Arms Hotel, where lie died a. few minutes later. An inquest was held on the body at Treherbert Police Station on Monday afternoon, when evidence similar to that outlined above was given by deceased's brother and the driver of the mineral cart. The Coroner (Mr. R. J. Rhys) in sum- ming up, said it was a very sad case. The young man had lost his life in an effort to save others, and his act was quite on a par with the man who jumped into a pond to save a man from drowning, or that of a lifeboat crew. A verdict of Accidental death" was returned, and the foreman of the jury said he wished the Press to make a note of the meanness exhibited in stealing the boots. The deceased's brother said that he threw the boots aside at the time of the accident, and the Coroner remarked that the boots might have been picked up by a party without a, thought of stealing. The tragedy created a great sensation in the neighbourhood, where the youth's family are well-known. Deceased was the mainstay of his parents. A pathetic fact is that deceased's father is blind, and has not been able to do any work for some time. Of a deeply religious turn of mind, young Norman had of late taken great interest in Bible studies with the object of eventually becoming a preacher. He had also prominently identified himself with the local gymanfa ganu." Much sympathy is expressed with the bereaved family. The funeral takes place on Thurs- day. The young man's death having been brought about outside Mis own occupation, there can be no hope for compensation to alleviate in some degree the loss of the breadwinner. It would be a Christian act and a deserving object if a fund was raised, to which, we have no doubt, subscriptions would be speedily forthcoming. Arthur Norman deserves a tribute,

Death of a Noted Treorchyite. The death took place on Saturday, the 23rd inst., at Brynbedw, Treorchy, of Mr. Thomas W. Price (of the firm of T. Price and Sons, tailors, High Street, Treorchy), after a painful illness of six months' duration, at the age of 68 years. He was a native of Northwood, Presteign, Radnorshire, and came to the Rhondda Valley in 1866. The deceased was the oldest tradesman in the Valley, and ho was the first man in the Rhondda to burn gas. He was the only surviving member of the jury that attended the 42 inquests of the whole of the Pentre Colliery ex- plosions, when the jury were exempted for cife. He assisted Dr. Wm. Morris in get- ting the first policeman stationed at Tre- )rchy when the Valley was in its infancy. He was also one of the founders of the Volunteers in the Valley, and in the year L874 he made an unsuccessful attempt to orm the Volunteers with Mr. W. Jenkins, M.E., J.P., Ocean Collieries, as captain; jut a few years later the detachment was granted, and the regiment of Volunteers jO which they were attached eventually )roved to be one of the strongest in the kingdom. The deceased leaves a wife and teveral sons and a daughter. The funeral ook place on Thursday.

!!M Died at the Dinner Table. Tragic End of a Cripple. Morgan Thomas, a cripple, sixty years if age, died under tragic circumstances at us residence, 67, Avondale Road, Gelli, on Sunday last. He was seated at the dinner table along vith other members of his family, when Ie. suddenly collapsed to the floor in a lying condition. Dr. Price was imme- liately sent for, but the poor man died in few minutes. Death is attributed to an ,ffection of the heart.