Welsh Journals

Hrw>£$tlt S>ean6r£ flfcaga3tne. Vol. 2. MARCH, 1894. No. 15. LLANIDLOES. I sit down to write this on February 22nd, and I put down the date with a sigh, for the whole of the year so far has been practically lost so far as my parish work is Concerned. Some of you may think that I have taken too long a rest. I can assure you it was much against Kay own will. But I believe it was the wisest course to take, for I think I have come back practically quite well. Allusion was made in the last number to the Com¬ municants' Guild I wish to start in the parish, and I spoke on the subject on Sunday evening; but as a good many communicants were not in church, let me briefly state the objects such a society may help to serve, viz.: I. To foster Church life in the parisb, to promote a closer unity among us, to deepen our spiritual life, and to sustain the faith of young disciples. II. To impress on actual communicants the holy and blessed privilege oiregular attendance at the Holy Table, and to encourage more believers to accept our Lord's invitation. III. To provoke each other to love and good works. IV. To stimulate in all of us the habit of interces- sory prayer, and thereby procure an ever increasing blessing for our parish and congregation. Whom do I want to join the Guild ? All those who communicate or will make up their mind to communi¬ cate at least three times yearly, and who sincerely desire 80 far as in them lies to live for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom on earth. This will be «*e one and only rule, but I want such intending mem- °cr to make a rule for himself and make up his mind definitely how often he means to communicate, and adhere to that resolution, unless some really urgent cause prevents him. The first meeting of the Guild will "e held on the Thursday before Easter, in the Parish ^hurcb, at 7.15, when.I hope to address all my com¬ municants. Afterwards the monthly meeting will be **eld on the last Thursday in each month. I hope to see a** communicants before Easter, but I have many arrears * ^vork to make up and many worries of which most of y°u know little or nothing, so if I fail to see you person- %■} I ask you now to come to our first meeting. ■Now let me tell you our arrangements for Holy Week ^d Easter. Every day during Holy Week (except Good Friday), there will be Holy Communion at 8.30, Matins and short reading at 11, Evensong and Address at 7.15. The first three evenings I hope to speak of the " Groups round the Cross." (1.) The Jews—illustrating preju¬ dice. (2.) Gentiles—ignorance. (3.) Disciples—a timid faith. Thursday evening will be devoted to com¬ municants. On Good Friday there will be Matins and Litany at 8.30, Ante-Communion Service at 10.30, the Three Hours' Service from 12 to 3, Evensong and Sermon at 7.15, when the choir will sing selections from the " Messiah" and Gaul's "Passion Music." On Easter Sunday there will be celebrations of the Holy Communion at 8, 9, and 10 (in Welsh), and at midday. The addresses at the Three Hours' Service will be given by the Rev. G. W* Gent, Principal of St Mark's College, Chelsea. I can¬ not be too grateful to Mr. Gent for coming so far to help a perfect stranger, and I hope you will show your appreciation of the kindness. Remember that you can come in or go out any time during the singing of a hymn. The attendance the last two years has been fairly good, but this year I look forward to seeing the Church full. Mr. Gent has most kindly consented to stay over Easter and preach on Easter Sunday evening. That you and I may so use Lent and Holy Week, drawing near the Cross in the faith of our Crucified Lord, is the very earnest prayer of your servant in Jesus Christ, EDMUND O. JONES. We regret to record the downfall of the old yew tree, which used to be so prominent an object between the Cripplegate and the vestry door. A part still remains, we are glad to say, and may survive for centuries yet. How long the old tree has stood there we cannot say (for unfortunately the Arwystli Deanery Magazine had not been established when it was planted), but it is probably the oldest inhabitant of the borough. Perhaps St. Idloes preached beneath its shade or planted it to guard his first rude church from the wintry blasts. The distribution of the Mayor's flannel among Church people was long delayed owing to the illness of the Vicar and Mrs. Jones. At this late hour we beg to thank Mr. George very heartily on behalf of the recipients of his thoughtful bounty.