The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

7B EISTEDDFOD. I In connection with the Eisteddfod there is the Gov- sedil, and this may safely be said to have existed from time immemorial, or according to our ancestors' method of it, "from memory before memory." This week the astonished multitude at Llandudno witnessed the construction of the (iorsedd, which now forms a kind of enigma to the unitiated, iu the open space near the Parade, at the end of Gioddaeth-street. At every Eisteddfod a similar circle is formed, but generally the stones are placed in a careless way, without any regard to the exact position each ought to occupy. In con- structing the Gorsedd at Llandudno, care was taken to place every stone in its proper position, so as to secure for it its own symbolic meaning. The points were, therefore, fixed with a mariners compass, and the whole circle reduced to an intelligible scale. The scrupulous spirit of Iolo Morganwg must be smiling approvingly, to see such minute observance of ancient customs, and such religious regard for sacred symbolism, manifested in the promotion of the bardic circle. The iron railings that surround it does not form part of the circle proper, but are intended to protect its sacredness against the intrusion of the unitiatod multitude. We find chat the stones form a circle, and that they are twelve in number, with a very large stone in the centre, and other three stones running out of the circle —towards the east. What then is a circle so constructed intended to re- present ? The large stone in the centre represents the sun, the twelve smaller stones forming the circle are the symbols of the twelve zodiacs, and the three stones leading out of the circle are intended to represent the sun in the summer solstice, in the winter solstice, and is the vernal aud autumnal equinox, forming the bardic symbol seen at the head of all bills and papers connected with the Eisteddfod. It is by causing imaginary lines from these outward stones, and bring them to meet in the centre stone, or the sun, that we have this form:- A which in ancient times was considered sacred, and re- garded with a kind of religious awe. The meaning of the word Gorsedd is a throne, and as its name would signify, it was the source of all autho- rity. Amongst our ancestors, the circle and throne con- stituted their Parliament, in which the laws were con- sidered, and received the sanction which made them binding on all the subjects of the Gorsedd. Laws were enacted, criminals tried, and questions of law decided; and the bardic customs were also regulated and promul- gated in it. A division of labour took place in more modern times. The Imperial Parliament takes the first, the various Courts of Law administer the function of the second, and the third, to which the bards and minstrels were invited to swell the songs in honour of the brave, and to celebrate the chronicles of their native land, was the Eisteddfod, the usage of which, in a modi- fied form, it still retains. So far as we have any means of tracing account of the Gorsedd in written history, and well authenticated tra- ditions, handed down from one generation to the other, it dates back, at least, to the time of Prydain ap Aedd JIawr, or about a thousand years before the Christian era. This very antiquity, and the fact that through all the vicissitudes that swept away ao many other institu- tions that once flourished in the world, are sufficient apologies, or reasons, why the Welsh people should cling to their cherished Eisteddfod with such laudable te- nacity. It is with regret that we understand that some of our countrymen, and especially the nobility and gentry, stand aloof from the National Institution because, as they assume, the principal, if not the sole object of it is to perpetuate the existence of the Welsh language, to the exclusion of the English language, and the serious disadvantage of the Welsh people. It is deeply to be regretted that they allow themselves to be so imper- fectly informed about a subject, with which it is their duty and privilege to make themselves familiar. We may confidently state that this is not now, nor has it ever been the object of these gatherings. The names which stand connected with it ought to be a sufficient guarantee that they are not guilty of such egregious folly. It is true that oftentimes instruction has been commnicated through the instrumentality of the Welsh language, simply because the people understood no other; the object of the Eisteddfod is neither to perpetuate or destroy any language, but simply to elevate the people through the most efficient available agency. So far from confining its endeavours to perpetuate the Welsh language, there is not a more potent agency in the world for dissemina- ting a knowledge of the English language amongst the Welsh people, as the Eisteddfod. Prizes are offered for compositions in that language a large proportion of the proceedings is conducted in it; circumstances are created which compel the thinkers to ma-ster it, and the mass of the people are fast following their example. The object sought to be accomplished in ancient times was not dissimilar to that which obtained amongst the Greeks, in their Olympian glory. In passing, may we not ask with just astonishment, why is it. that we are compelled to illustrate home usages and a custom so closely interwoven with the threads of our own history,—by referring to a people so remote, who are politically dead, and whose language is no longer spoken ? Confessedly, unacquainted as some are with the history of their own nation, they would deem edu- cation defective did they not know everything about a people who do not now hold a distinctive place in the human family, and whose language is dead! They have noble antecedents, an illustrious history of their own, without knowing it But to return. The object of these gatheringsin olden time, was to recite, before a public audieuce, all that was known of the past history of the race, all that had been acquired of current knowledge, and all that the aweti had inspired in the breast of the bard. All this was recited before the congregated nation, before Com- mons, Lords,and Princes; and thus the knowledge which it was the privilege of the few to possess, was made the common heritage of all. A glance at the programmes issued of late years clearly prove that the object, at pre- sent, is the same; not to perpetuate a language, but to excite mentality not to indulge in .practice of exclusive- ness, but imbibe, and extend a catholicity of sentiment. Yet we are often charged with a desire to exclude the English language from our meetings, and to confine the monoglot Welshman, to the limited resources of his own language If by the habit of unthinkingness, or the influence of vitiated education, some of our friends and countrymen have become indifferent as to whether they will deal fairly with the claims of the Eisteddfod, and the labours of those who work so incessantly, and disinterestedly, to make it an useful institution, they ought, in justice to themselves, to ascertain whether their objections to it, are well founded or not. In connection with the Eisteddfod and Gorsedd, there are some of the noblest traditions and maxims to which any nation can refer. What elevated sentiments do the following embrace Truth against the world." In the face of the sun, and the eye of light." God and all goodness." "Heart to heart." "Jesus repress injustice." "Truth must have its place," &e. The history of the nation who have wrought and moulded these sentiments into the form of eternal maxims, is not to be despised, and it is to be regretted that so many remain ignorant of their own history, while they would waste out their existence, before they would allow them- selves to be unacquainted with the Chronicles of the llaugoons, and the history of the semi-savage Objibbe- way Indians We are unwilling to extend our remarks, which may he deemed already too numerous; but it will be neces- sary to inform strangers, to what use the Gorsedd is put at this time. We answer, it is for the purpose of conferring Bardic degrees in accordance with ancient usnage, on meritorious aspirants after honourable fame. Thev first undergo an examination in the different branches of knowledge to which they intend to devote their studies. The Orders are three in number—Ovates, Bards, and Druids. The first direct their attention more especially to prose writing; the second to 10 'try; and the third to the teaching of the principles of morality and religion. The Ovate and "Hard qualify themselves, and undergo a suitable examination for their respective degrees, and are declared worthy of the distinction which they seek, according to the proficiency which they may have ma- nifested under examination. The Druid receives his degrees, in virtue of his office as a minister of religion, and for that Ordir does not undergo any examination, his qualifications being evidently presumable from the office he fills, and the position lie holds. The Llandudno Eisteddfod promises to he one of the most nuinevouslv attended, and most orderly arranged, that li:\s eve™ been held in the Principality, the I avil- ion, ill addition, to being one of the handsomest in form, is also the newt convenient in its internal arrangements. Kuch person, after obtaining his ticket, enters it at a door, which leads him directly to the place which he is to occupy; and the holders of one cla-s of tickets, are not compelled to toil and tear themselves through the interminable space allotted to the other classes. Being Octagon in shape, the form affords the same facilities to see and to hear, to all classes. There is nothing but numbers that will cause some to be further removed from tiie platform than others.

In tins department as a full ;uu! free expr<i^i«m of opinion f ,i(!t-,)rllu I to correil)o:iolt!tits, t)ie I-,tlitf)r wilie,, it io be (Iii. tinctl}' ur.l\ef:itoo/that he holll, him.;elt' re,o)!LilISibl (or nonl. All loiters should be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, buias a guaran.ee oi good faith.

t OVEIWROWIJIXG OF nUATS. To the Editor of the Xorth (Jkronidc. Sir,—lty the insertion <»f tho tollowmg tew lines in your valuable paper, I shall feel extremely ob- liged. I happened to be a passenger to Llandudno and hack with the Prince of Wales steamer, 011 Sunday last. I, with others, landed comfortably but in going to meet the steamer to return to Liverpool, I think it my duty to make a complaint of the conduct of the boat- men, and also of the man who appeared to be the mas- ter of the boats. The hoat I happened to be in had painted on it No. 10, licensedto carry 25," which num- ber was in it when we left the beach. The boat return- ed to the beach for two more passengers, and afterwards put off to meet the steamer. The boatmen insisted, against aU the remonstrances of the passengers, oil again returning to the stage for 3 more passengers, which made up the number to 30. For the benefit of others, that they may not be placed in such an unpleasant position as to be crammed up in an overcrowded boat, I hope this will come under the no- tice of the proper party or parties as can and will put a stop to such improper treatment of passengers by such uncivil boatmen as those of No. 10. Many of the passengers will bear me out in what I have herein stated. Yours respectfully, T. JONES. I Castle-street, Liverpool T. JONES. August 8th, 1864.

I KIDNAPPING IN AMERICA. I I To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Sir,—In your impression of the 30th July, you have a paragraph again on the above subject, in which you state that you are in a position, beyond all doubt or question, to prove what you attempted to prove before in an article, some few weeks back, viz.,—That all emi- grants, on their landing in the Federal States of Ame- rica, are in the power of the Yankee authorities, and that they are powerless to extricate themsel ves from their grasp. Such was your assertion then, and which you now prove beyond all doubt and question. We will see how far your proofs bear you out. You quote for your proofs the correspondence between Lord Lyons and Mr. Seward, &c. Now, in looking over this paper, I find the complaint made by Lord Lyons is not against the Yankee authorities, but against the shameful conduct of some of the recruiting officers to- wards British subjects in carrying out their instructions of recruiting for the Army. That these grievances complained of do exist I don't deny; but that they are the consequences of the recruit- ing system, not only in America but in this country also, I maintain. Caet your eyes a few years back, when our own coun- try was at war, and wanting men, what were the strata- gems practised by the recruiting parties in our towns and villages ? How many ihousandsof our countrymen were taken by these parties into their rendezvous, and there made drunk, and a shilling slipped into their pockets—secured for the night, and then in the morning taken to the recruiting officer, and there sworn to his face that he had taken the coin in the name of her Ma- jesty, and his only alternative WM to join the ranks, or be imprisoned as a deserter. These are the effects of unprincipled, low, vile scoundrels getting into commis- sion to carry out an order of the Government, and, when money is their object, no act is too base to gain their ends. But who can make any Government responsible for such acts That they are discountenanced by the Fe- deral authorities is proved beyond a doubt, in your own paragraph, by your insertion of General Dix, the mili- tary commander of New York's report to the Secretary of War on the subject, when he denounces it in the bit- terest terms. Now, Sir, the very papers that you quoted as your proofs, beyond a doubt or question, are the strongest proofs to the contrary, because in your first article you asserted that all emigrants to the States were powerless to extricate themselves from the grasp of the Yankee authorities, when the above papers show plainly that they have no less a personage than Lord Lyons, with nu. merous British Consuls, for their protection. In my letter, which I forwarded on the above subject to the CHRONICLE before, I copied a certificate of non- liability, which is given to all aliens on proof before the Board of Enrolment, which you wish the readers of the CHHONICLE to believe is a fallacy, but which is a fact, and haa been proved, and the papers you quote do not disprove it. I hope, Sir, for the sake of those who feel concerned in the emigration to America, you will give this a small corner in your columns. I am, Sir, Your correspondent, Beaumaris. G. G.

JOIIN MORGAN AND THE BANGOR AND BEAUMARIS UNION EXPENDITURE. To tlte Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Sir,-J. M. says that XII,129 were given to paupers outside the Workhouse. To find out whether this account is correct he can- not divine." What a wonder for such a mighty being; was he not a Guardian for the year ending 25th March, 18G4 ? Why, was it not to took after the transaction of tho Union that he was chosen by the ratepayers of Llandysilio, and to represent them in the Board, and that Board chose him to be one of the Finance Com- mittee," and yet this man says that he knows not how to find out whether this account is correct; ought he not as one of the Guardians to see where the money entrusted to his charge was going ? Was he not sum- moned amongst others by the Clerk, to every Finance meeting, and to the meeting where the accounts were laid before the Guardians, preparatory to their being laid before the auditor as their own account ? If he neglected his duty it was high time to put a halt on him. I doubt the correctness of his statement respecting the X611 lis. ld. paid for food and clothing, to an average number of about 74 paupers inside the Work- home. By the Financial Statement of the Union, I find the weekly cost per head of paupers to be 2s. 11hd for provisions, necessaries, and clothing. But 74 pau- pers at 2s. Il ySjd. for 62 weeks will just make the sum of £ 568 3s. 7-Jd. So the average number of paupers is not correct. J. M. had been a Guardian for a part of the year ending 2oth March, 1860, and the years ending '61, '62, '03, and '04, and last year was a member of the Assess- ment Committee. What has ho taken against the clever Clerk ?" Is it an old grudge for the year that he refused to return him as qualified to be a Guardian; or a return for his non-support of his dastardly attack on the Clerk aud the fat Relieving-otlicer. Was he not aware that the Clerk was receiving £ 100 a-year salary, and £ 10 for the election of Guardians, when a gentle- man proposed in the Assessment Committee that the salary of the Clerk to the said Committee should be f40 a-year ? and who was the man that seconded this re- solution ? nobody less than the ex-Guardian for Llan- dysilio and during the years of the "salary advancing mania," is it not plain but that he had a hand in in- creasing it. When he sees from his loom the fat Re- lieving-officer trot, trot, along on horse-back, does he covet the office for his son; or is it vengeance on the whole commuitv for not supporting his son when he waa applying for the office of Kelieving-officer for the Car- narvonshire District No. J, which salary after the resig- nation of Mr. Prees had been advanced from £55 to LS()? Next, let its inquire how much in reality is paid to our Union officers. Although there are five Medical- officers, it is only Dr. Ellis that is entangled in his loom. The Doctor's salary certainly is £ 100 a-year and the sum paid for vaccination and visiting lunatics in Dr. Ellis' district last year was £ 36 17s. 7d., and not f68. The fees for registering the vaccination is included in the £ 3(i 17s. 7d. Therefore instead of Mr. Ellis receiv- iii,, Clf;S, he receivcl C136 17s. 7d, minus the regis- tration fees. And last, I find fallen into his black colouring pot the Master. What has lie done ? Oil he said in the Board that the price he was willing to pay for the picking of his wool was too little. Was it not also hinted that the wool was from a wreck or something of the sort ? I believe the Master only received for the year ending 25t.!i March, ISO 1. £ 42 10s., and not £ 50. By the Fi- nancial Statement I find that his food and necessaries cost the Union £ 1.5 18s. ofd. a-year, aud not "the double of his assumed salary" (50). Upon the face of the earih what does the mau mean with his clear head ? AN IT-HUMBUG.

ti,$cdhmeou$. It is asserted that one of the most brilliant meteors ever seen in France pasted over Cherbourg a few even- ings since. On Sunday night, whil-t the steamer Rainbow was on her passage from London to Yarmouth, one of the passengers, a stranger, jumped overboard and Wall drowned. The (Miverk'd of tea in London, estimated for the week ending August 8th, were 1,041,550 lbs., which show-! it decrease of 4770 lbs. when compared with the previous statement. A poor woman, far advanced in pregnancy, accident- ally fell head foremost into a deep cutting of the main drainage works at Camberwell, on Saturday night, and was killed. The accounts from Braail this year seem generally favourable with regard to the coffee crop. In the pro- vince of San Paulo, where the finest sorts are produced, it is said to be espeeia'ly abundant. Elizabeth Squiers, a married woman, after attempting to murder her child by throwing it from a window at the Wellington Inn, in the city of Exeter, jumped out herself, aud received such injuries that she died in two hours. Nearly four acres of furze growing on Kaye's Com- mon, near Bromley, were destroyed by fire oil Sunday evening. The flames, which were visible over the whole metropolis, occasioned great alarm, and defied every ef- fort to extinguish them. Catherine Cole, a young woman, the wife of a seaman serving on board her Majesty's gunnery ship Cambridge, was drowned in Plymouth Sound at a late hour on Sa- turday night, by the upsetting of a boat in which she was sailing with her husband. At a fire in Aberdeen, which occurred last week, the women of the neighbourhood stood in the harbour nearly up to the armpits dipping water for the service of the engines. A sturgeon was caught in the Severn, between the Weir and the Lower Lode, on Tuesday last. The fish was a very fine one, being seven feet long, and weighing between two and three cwt. It had a halter passed through its gills, which was secured to a post on the bank. The effects of the excessive drought are being severely felt in Hungary, where, in some of the mountain- ous districts, the peasants are reduced to such misery as to be obliged to eat the leaves of trees and wild roots. Baron Ricasoli, if not already arrived in Paris, is ex. pected immediately, and it is said that the object of hit journey is to make a contract with the house of Roths- child for the construction and working of the Southern I talian rail wars. A volunteer at Lanark, who was last week" chaffed" by some women because he was a bad shot, deliberately loaded his rifle with ball and fired at a woman who was only ti inches from the muzzle. Fortunately she wheeled round and escaped with a flesh wound. The fellow is in custody. The Queen has, in the most gracious manner, for- warded to Capt. Cowper P. Coles, R.N., through Capt. his Serene Highness the Prince Leiningen, H.N., a beau- tifully executed statuette in bronze of his late Royal Highness the Prince Consort, as a souvenir of visit to the Royal Sovereign. A man named Brine attempted to murder his wife at Bath on Sunday evening by shooting her. He had pro- cured some bullets with which to charge the pistol, but finding they were too large, he cut one of them into four pieces, and loaded the pistol with these and with some till tacks. Several of these have been extracted from her face and ears. AN ALIBI FOR FRANZ Mur.LER.-The German Legal Protection Society of London are endeavouring, by means of the most diligent inquiries, and by seeking in- formation from every available quarter, to ascertain what were the precise movements of Franz Muller, the suspected murderer of Mr. Briggs, on the day the mur- der took place. Their object is, if possible, to shew that he was not on the railway at the time of the murder, and that he could have had no connection with that fear- ful tragedy. EFFECTS OF THE GOLD DISCOVERIES ON CIVILIZATION. —There is, upon the whole, incontrovertible evidence of a great change in the value of the precious metals in the world, far more extensive than occurred in the 16th century, and upon a different ground-plan; but, like that earlier monetary revolution, it has been neither universal nor equal where it has occurred. It has not been universal, for the Egyptian is almost the only Afri- can enriched; China has netted nothiug on the balance of its trade for many years, and the cattle wandering in the pampas of La Plata soon leave the golden circle. Nor has it been equal, for the change has been greater in cheap markets than iu dear. But the immense rise of prices in many of the former has been balanced by no corresponding fall in any of the latter markets, and a great diminution in the value of money on the whole is therefore clear, though to attempt to measure it with precision is vain, and to talk of it in terms of arithmetic is an abuse of figures. The only reasonable conclusion on the subject is, that money has for the present lost much of its purchasing power in the general world of trade—a conclusion by itself little to be desired. To load the exchanges of men-to alter the terms of agree- ment, and disappoint just expectations—to make land- lords unwilling to grant leases, and all classes doubtful about contracts for time and thrifty investments—were a calamitous result of the enterprise and toils of the miners. And some evil of this kind has undoubtedly been done. The first consequence, too, of the discovery of the new mines was a diminution in the production of commodities. In 1851, half the male population of Vic- toria deserted their occupations for the diggings. In 1850, when the population of the colony was only 76,000, more than 52,000 acres were under cultivation. In 1854, when the population amounted to nearly 237,000, only 34,657 acres were cultivated. In 1860, this very colony imported from the rest of the world consumable commo- dities to the value of more than fifteen millions, and gave commodities in exchange to the value of only four millions and a (juarter. British Columbia to this day has produced little but gold, and has levied a continual tribute upon the food, clothing, and implements of the rest of the world. Nevertheless, the good and the gain which have accompanied the evil and the loss are infi- nitely greater. The new gold has not only founded commercial nations of-great promise round its sources, and enabled our own nation to work (not only without a paralysing monetary drain, but with triumphant suc- cess), the problem of free trade, and to purchase in most critical times the material of our manufactories; but it has assisted many backward communities to rise rapidly in the scale of civilization, and wandered heaven- directed to the poor." The rapid rise in the pecuniary value of the labour and produce of several such commu- nities, of which evidence has been given, is not merely a sign and effect of theirgrowing prosperity and elevated commercial position; it has also helped to conduce to their progress.

(Gontinuedfrmn 2nd Page.) Convocation; and these three bodies being en- tirely distinct ill their constitutions, as well as in their sphere of action, it has been my practice to illustrate that distinction by holding up my two handa. i'he right hand serves to represent all manner of assemblages exclusively and essentially clerical, that is to say, meet- ings first of the Chapter, secondly of the Diocese, and thirdly of the Province, or aggregation of Dioceses. The left hand represents the independent laity of the Church, that body which is maiuly instrumental in re- turning members to Parliament, and which has it in its power so to unite as tomakeeffectualresistance to its con- stitutional wishes impossible. Parochial Associations of faithful Churchmen, and the organization now presented to your notice of faithful Churchwardens, Past and Pre- sent, afford the only voluntary exhibition of independent lay power that can be brought distinctly under vieiv. Then comes the junction of the two hands, or the com- bination of the two forces, the clerical and the lay, to which has been given the name of the Church Institu- tion. Most of you may be aware that not many months ago the Archbishop of Canterbury presided at a public meeting in London, gathered together in behalf of this Institution, which was one of the most important as well as remarkable and unusual meetings ever held. His Grace then and there stated that he looked forward to the day when the central council of that body would consist of not fewer than a thousand able laymen; and present appearances warrant the anticipation that such council will afford a just and true representation of our several districts,by which phrase are to be underAiod the Rural Deaneries not of England and Wales alone, but also of Ireland. (Hear, hear.) Its members, it is to be observed, are for the most part nominees of the clergy. This is not always the case, strictly speaking; i)tlt tili i? tike I Ii i iiL, ont this is the tiling intended; tin's and nothing el* so that what these gentlemen do, the clergy themselves may be said to do This eentral council will be found perhaps to be the leading feature of The Church Insti- tution. It acts bv means of an Kxeeutive Committee, elected at th.- Annual General Meeting of the Council, its several la.-mbers being themselves elected annually at the sever I meetings of the Rnridecanal Chapters. It consists, as vo;; have heard, entirely of laymen, who are clerical and it is in the several district, whether in t-nm or country, that clergy and laity meet together, the Litter being still cleric d nominees, annn.dly appointed and all the eonjoiut m-'etings being called by the Rural Dean, <vho presides and adjourns the meet- ing at hh;; gllHl I.h'lITC. These laymen go by the iiaiii(i of ;tti(I it is generally found that what pleases the clergy pleases them also. So far so goo ) But it has been often remarked, and by n"ne more earnestly than by too clergy themselves, that we want the rough and the smooth, not the smooth only. We want all classes to be heard, and all opinions to ho ex- pressed. Without this our Bishops-will in vain make utterances, either in Parliament or in Convocation. Without this, Churchmen will deserve to be compara- tively feeble. How then is this to be safely, but effec- tually tlvccnnpEshed? he problem is confessedly difficult, but a solution has been attempted. Now in speaking of the means of independent action which the Association of Churchwardens. Past and Present, is supposed to supply to the laity, let, me not be expected to advocate or recommend anything republican, congregational, cr democratic, because this would be entirely alien to Holy Scripture, and opposed to the spirit of Christianity (Hear, hear.) We read nothing of the kind in the New Testament, and to this you know that some Disseuters are very fond of referring us in support of the vain assertions which at times they ad- vance. Xo, my lord, let them and all the world be- sides be challenged to point out any Church named in the New Testament, which was not governed by and subject to Apostles. (Cheers.) The government of our Church is in like manner intended to be apostolic and let no one here suppose that the Associated Church- wardens contemplate any innovation upon the ancient order of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. (Cheers.) We feel that if the measures proposed by our assembled clergy Lil to please unbelievers, they will in all proba- bility give satisfaction to the faithful laity on which acconnt clerical meetings should be encouraged by all in authority, from the Government downwards. Let me now proceed to describe the constitution of the Churhwardens' Association, which will, perhaps, be found unique in its character. We have in Mr. Pett-er an excellent chairman of the Central or Managing Com- mittee. Mr. Wallet. is the deputy chairman; Mr. Hugh Williams, well known by his contributions to the Welsh Press under the name of Cadvau, is honorary secretary as well as treasurer. Mr. Butterworth is assistant honorary secretary. Besides these four officers, the number of ordinary com- mitteemen is limited to eight; the post assigned to my- self for the present, being that of organising secretary, in which capacity it is that you are now pleased to re- ceive me. We are 1*2 in all; and looking to the future —however considerable the entire organization may eventually become—we do not consider that any increase in that number will be necessary. Should my life be spared, my utmost exertions will be used to promote the efficiency of the Associations and my hope is, that God will so bless our labours, that iu the event of my removal, none of the clergy shall have cause to wish for the discontinuance of the organization. (Cheers). At the end of the year, the chairman resigns his office into the hands of the Committee. They first appoint his suc- cessor, and then themselves resign their seats on the committee before the annual meeting takes place. When that meeting is held, a discussion arises, a Report is presented, and resolutions are proposed. The meeting, as such, has no further power; and when it is over, the new chairman nominates, first, his deputy, then the hon. secretary, and lastly, the assistant hon. secretary. These four have power to add to their number, which can be completed gradually, iu the u-ial way, at the discretion of those already appointed, and thus it is that the evils of democracy are avoided. (Hear, hear). The whole body of the Association consists of men who have at any period of their lives been churchwar- dens, and is by no means limited to those now serving the office. It does not assume a party character, nor subserve party purposes. Any man is eligible as a mem- ber of the Association, who gives satisfaction to the clergy, and other inhabitants of the parish in which he dwells), and every full member contributes a minimum subscription of 20s. Local Committees in aid of the Central Committee are in course of formation, and a favourable movement has long been taking place at Cambridge, Chester, and Chiswick. At the latter place members of the Local Association subscribe money for their local expenses, and at the end of the year they re mit to London the balance in hand. Sometimes the remark is made, that country wardens are very illiterate. Be it so: but from what class is it that Dissenters de- rive that support which causes them to be exceedingly feared by our authorities in Church and State ? Why cannot we strengthen our position in the social fabric from the same classes ? It- must verily be done and tor this purpose laymen as well as clergymen must exert au amount of practical liberty to which we have been strangers. (Hear, hear), Not that the national clergy should have liberty to teach other things to the people, than were taught by Christ and His Apostles (hear, hear,)—nor should Christian laymen deem themselves justified in using their liberty so as to breed and perpe- tuate divisions But we, the laity, may usefully exer- cise a freedom of speech and a freedom of meeting, to which we have been unaccustomed. We, the Church Laity, may say and do many things which would be most impru- dent and unseemly if coming from the clergy. You cannot, for example, continually proclaim the value and importance of an apostolic ministry. Leave us to do that. You cannot restrain rebellion, and meet the swelling tide of a haughty and imperious, not to say arbitrary and tyrauuical democracy. We can (to it for you and, pleaso God, we will do it in double quick time, while you are thinking about it. (Cheers and laughter.) The remarks of Canou Williams were most appro- priate, when he reminded us that these are days of rail- roads and telegrams; adding that every thing points to union. Perhaps the truth of the case goes even beyond that; and we may be nearer to the realisation of the fond hopes which some iudulge as to Christian union than is commonly believed. My respected friend here on the left (the Dean) has said more about unity, and has given me more useful hints about it than any man of my acquaintance. His temper is never ruffled by contradiction. He is never weary of discussion, even though it last for a twelvemonth; and it is no small comfort and privilege to have him at my elbow a protector such as one of the Baugor slates mentioned to you before. (Laughter.) Long ago my excellent friend published, in English and in Welsh, a letter on the subject uf Uuiou among Christians; and when we remember that as many as twelve thousand earnest and devoted men are in the habit every day of retiring into their closets, at a stated hour, and falling on their knees before their God on this behalf, it is no very unreasonable hope that their prayers will be heard. Whenever the time comes, surely it will not be on any principles of man's devizing that such bleme(I union will be realised. Men must come to the principles first laid down by Christ, and acted on by those whom he com- missioned to feed and to teach his lambs. fhus, and thus only, do we seem entitled to hope for a blessing on any exertions that may be made. If we proceed on any other principle, it appears not difficult to predict that we shall meet with merited disappointment. It is in this spirit and with these views that the Cen- tral Committee of Churchwardens are accustomed to deliberate. As Christian laymen living iu the world and meeting from time to time to consider the present state of things iu Christendom, especially in that vast metropolis wherein our own let is east, we feel that we cannot do less than claim the whole world for Chnst. Yes, literally, the whole of it. And if so, it follows that the same claims must be set up for every small district, or portion thereof, in which Christ must be worshipped as the invisible and supreme Head, with one, l one, visible spiritual head under Him, called the Bishop. In respect of government, we deny the liberty which some men dream of. We repudiate it utterly. The Christian religion places us in a position of subjection to all its fundamental rules, which embrace ideas of apos- tolic order, and unity; every brother having his alloted post or station in the whole society or fellowship. Human governments, we acknowledge, and human laws we obey. but both of these are external to the ecclesias- tical polity aud inferior to it. This Christian polity is our mistress, and the only true liberty allowed us is freedom from sin, liberty in our day and gene- ration to serve God whose service is perfect freedom. I We call upon every one to whom gifts and ability are gi ven to come forward and assist all of your lordship's high crder in remedying the evils consequent on the non-performance of duties incumbent on the laity of all classes, churchwardens and others. We call Æ our Bishops to rise to the emergency, and give to all earnest hearts that encouragement which is so influential ?;tii(i so deeply felt. We do this, not as wishing to exalt lour revered Bishops unduly, but because of our confidence in the divine character of their office, because, apart from all theory, we fiud the en so universally and so lovingly disposed to make the best of all oppor- tunities for good, and to welcome true Christian sympathy, by whomsoever manifested. And here let me narrate an interesting occurrence which took place at Chester, only yesterday on my way hither from London. My friend, Mr. George Harrison, met meat the railway station, and having been success- ful in obtaining above five hundred signatures to the address aboiit to be presented to the metropolitans of the tivo provinces of Canterbury and York, he wished to introduce me to several working men, whose houest and earnest Chritian feeling had led them to append their names with elasticity. This having been done, a most gratifying interchange of sentiment took place on divers spiritual questions, one -^r. Williams being the spokesman on their si 'e. They listened with eager interest to my account of the movement in hand in our church, and gave me reason to hope for a lengthened in- terview with them on some future occasion, which may, perhaps, be at no very distant period. The inner life to be found in the great and interesting dioceses of Chester and Manchester is not unknown to me; and Bangor, too, is a diocese which may well be mentioned, both 011 account of the ready ztal aud enlightened dis- cernment of many a quarry man within its bor- ders, and a lso on account of the earnest manner in which that zeal is at once welcomed and stimulated by so many ofthe clergy. The true idea of lav co-operation is not that of a class movement, llieh aud p <or meet together iu the house of Glhl. and as the Lord is the maker of them all, so may all well and truly co-operate to the praise and glory of His blessed name. The movement which the associated churchwar- dens would promote, is a loving movement, and not one of :of-ce or compulsion. If Christian men do not see the suitableness and blesseduess of once more gathering themselves under one spiritual head on earth, the Bishop, we must abide the Lord's time, and hope for the day wlien they will spontaneously and eagerly do so; the people looking up to the immediate duly ordained pastor of the locality, and pastors as well as people looking up to the Bishop. Those who reject the apostolic and Scriptural principle of the episcopacy, instead of having one true Bishop over them, are very apt to have many spurious ones. But in apostolic times there were no competing or rival fiisiiops and to me it seems scarcely to admit of a question that Christian men, now living amongst US, but not being of us, too often rearing edifices of various kinds merely in opposition, and almost always under a painful inner sense of mediocrity if not inferiority, would fillll themselves far happier, socially, and far bet- ter spiritually, under your Lordship's wing, than as they now are, with whatever amount of pride and self flattery, outside the consecrated pale of their fathers and of Christian antiquity. When we speak of unity, we, of course, look at Roman Catholics, and not at them only, but at Hebrews also. As for the Pope, I am only able to understand him as Bishop of Rome, and metropoli- tan and the sooner he confines himself to his own dis- trict, the better for himself and for mankind at large. And as for the Hebrew nation, we not uncommonly pray for their ingathering, and that they may look on Him whom they pierced. A reflection upon their past history takes us back to a very early times, and at length we come to that earliest of all time, when Adam fell under the curse of God, and when the one atonement was pro- vided. Whether or not, the Hebrew divine will submit to a discussion, we have a right to assume his common belief with ourselves in the two cardinal points of Adam's transgression, and subsequent reconciliation; and surely that the scales may be taken from his eyes as to the fact of the incarnation would be an appropriate prayer at all Christian conferences. In connection with the subject of such conferences, it will be appropriate to lay on the table fifty copies of a letter from the Rev. Geo. Bradley Sweet, to our hon. secretary, Mr. Hugh Williams, on the subject of lay agency as conducive or instrumental to Christian Union. Mr. Sweet is known as having been one of the earliest and foremost, and most successful advocator of the re- vival of Synodal action. The efforts of himself and friends have been richly blessed in the English branch of the United Church, and we hope that ere long, similar success will be experienced in Ireland. Then may Lay Agency be set forward on a wide scale, and none can tell what may follow on its developement in due subordina- tion to the clergy both individually, and in their lawful Sy- nods. It would be presumptuous now to speak at greater length, nor, happily, is it competent to me to solicit any forward expression of opinion concerning what has been advanced. Let me conclude by thanking you for the kind attention with which you have heard me, and by requesting you to peruse the papers laid on the table. You will further oblige me by putting any questions you please concerning the Association to which your atten- tion has been drawn. (Loud and continued applause.) Rev. P. C. Er,LIS—May I ask what object the Church- wardens' Association has distinct from the Church In- stitution ? H. HOAHE, Esq.—The Church Institution by its rules cannot discuss any doctrines. In practical matters con- nected with doctrines the members encourage each other to a faithful discharge of duties. Among other things they think they may very legitimately discuss the ques- tion of the desirableness of having a new set of canons. Rev. P. C. ELLIS further asked how this was to work so as to strengthen the hands of the clergy, and how were they to bring themselves into connection with the body in London ? Mr. HOAIU: said it was important that the whole body should move together. With reference to the canon of baptism we should be guided by the opinions of various schools, not of one. Rev. E. PUGIIE asked whether the churchwardens (say of this Diocese) were to act in Bangor or in Lon- don. Mr. HOARE replied that they were toact locally and to consult with, not only the clergy, but with the wisest and most discreet lay churchmen of the parish. The Bisnop said he had listened with great attention to the different papers read, aud the discussion which followed. He thought the first one by Dr. Hill deserved special attention. No one aquainted with the church in Wales can fail to see the great want which exists for that education which precedes what might be termed the highest professional education. It was quite im- possible that the colleges could do the work of the school. The latter must precede the former, else edu- cated men could not be got to discharge the important duties of the ministry. No one was more capable of shewing how that defect might be remedied than Dr. Hill himself. The question which might with propriety be asked was whether self-supporting boarding houses could not be attached to their Endowed Schools. They should, however, take great care not to depreciate the quality of the school in order to increase the number of the scholars. Let not the tone of instruction be lowered, else they would be losing a great deal and gaining very little. He also wished to express his concurrence with 31r. Henry Owen, in the valuable paper read by him on the "University in Wales." He (the Bishop) thought their great object ought to be to improve what they had rather than to add to what they had. Lampeter College, which by the construction of railways was getting more and more accessible every year, was capable of much improvement. With regard to the paper on "Sunday Schools," he quite appreciated the difficulties which might be experienced in getting a clerical inspector of the schools- but he believed that considerable emulation would be excited by bringing together schools at in- tervals of time. Of course, he alluded to those local- ities which were closely situated or contiguous to each other where schools were held. He referred for instance to a district amid a large central population, where there would be found four churches within easy access, having all the elements of success within themselves. It there were onlv three services in a church on the Sunday, and other circumstances permitting, au inspection of the nature alluded to, might bead vantageously held at stated periods. He had also listened with much attention to the address which they had been favoured with by Mr. Hoarc on the "Churchwardens' Association." It was generally acknowledged the more the clergy and laity were brought together the better it whould be for the church itself. The clergy, he believed, were willing and indeed very desirous to co-operate with the laity 111 every- thing that would tend to benefit the church; he had no doubt also but that all would give their best attention to the documents which Mr. Hoare had kindly laid on the table. The suggestionsmade would, of course, be subject forfutureconsideration, how they best could be brought to practical workingorder. Each neighbourhood would enter iuto the scheme aud decide as to the desirability of carry- ing it out. In conclusion he thanked them all for their attendance that day and the day before, when important business was transacted. In his opinion the prospects of the church looked now much brighter than in time past. He pointed to the increased exertions now made in supplying the outward fabric of God's temples. He had consecrated more churches that year than he did the previous four years of his connection with this Dio- cese. Many of those consecrated this year were built by the efforts of a great number of people, others by indi- viduals, which shewed the necessity was fully felt, and that the good work would go on with increasing ratio for years to come. There were some places in the Diocese in a state of want as regards the structure, the remedy- ing of which was only a matter of days or years, whilst there were some to which the same remark would not apply, such as Nantlle, which contained a population of 2,000, but had no church within their reach, lie also mentioned Portmadoc, where a church was much wanted. His Lordship icsumed his seat after making some other hints and suggestions useful to the church in this diocese. Canon WILLIAMS, as senior clergyman of this diocese, thought they were bound to thank God for the bright days now before them. For his own part he felt very grateful for the spirit which had been displayed at that meeting, contrasted with what he had witnessed fifty years ago. The BISHOP then pronounced the benediction, and the meeting separated.