Welsh Journals

the churches they had built and endowed soon reverted to a more socially acceptable style of public worship. Some differences remained and traditions survived, but they were minor and quite superficial. Today, we can admire and be thankful for the buildings: but buildings alone cannot perpetuate a revolution. We can therefore understand the true significance of the movement as a whole in the Victorian era. Mainly, I think, it was highly symptomatic of a profound change in the church's conception of itself. It started as a church in a very religious society, the causes of whose religiosity are probably to be found deep in the social changes being endured by the people as a whole, and in organized movements standing outside and often in opposition to it. It had contributed much to the religious life of the county, but the initiatives had moved elsewhere. It had been slow to analyze the nature of its role in a society which demographic and economic forces were rapidly changing, and slow to adapt even when the consequences of these changes became apparent. It ended by being a church virtually on the voluntary principle, and so far as its social role was concerned not very different from that of the chapels. This, after all, was a reflection of the deep community of the region itself There is something slightly grotesque in the idea that a few wealthy men could come into this ancient county from outside and by introducing a new theology change its nature in a generation or so. Methodism was an in- digenous thing: that was its strength, and its values were those of the people among whom it spread. In the end it is people who make theology. But finally, it ended as a church most beautifully equipped in its fabric. We should think not only of the great architects: of Underwood, Butterfield, Ritchie and Seddon: we should think also of the common people who so readily responded to a religious ideal of decency, modesty, and quiet, assured beauty. Looking at Elerch Church who can fail to see how richly Butterfield must have responded to the genius of the place? Its harmony goes deep and there is a powerful repose in the way that it lies on the land. North Cardiganshire imposes itself on its buildings, and in the end it is people and history that remain. IEUAN GWYNEDD JONES Aberystwyth