Welsh Journals

*■ mthystijI DGjcpipr iwpip. * No. 32. Vol. III. AUGUST, 1895. Price One Penny. LLANIDLOES. The Yicar made a carious slip in one of his recent sermons. Speaking of the " Joy," Christians should feel in giving to God, he said, that because the Church of England was endowed its members are not obliged to contribute. But the endowments go to the clergy and there are no endowments which can be applied towards defraying ordinary "Church Expenses." We believe that the churchwardens are greatly cramped for want of money : the collections only just suffice to cover current expenses, and for many years there has been no appreciable sum expended on what we should in our own houses consider necessary repairs and cleaning. When was the gate painted last we wonder, and when were the walls cleaned ? Mrs. Thomas keeps the floor etc. admirably clean, and in this respect we do u;>t suppose there is a church in the diocese better looked after. But God's house should at least receive as much attention as our own homes, and if the congregation will enable the "wardens to act, we should be glad to see a big spring cleaning of walls and roof. This will cost a good deal : will the money be forthcoming ? The Bishop of the diocese held a Confirmation in the Parish Church on Sunday, July 28th, when he 'aid hands on the following candidates:—John Henry Evans, William Alderson Hauier, Richard James Jerman,William Albert Jones, James Derwent Owen, Thomas Henry Owen, Frederick George Parker, and John York; Agnes Maud Bennett, Eugenie Breeze, Ada Minnie Coates, Annie Evans, Amy Catherine Louisa Goldsworthy, Editn Emily Grist, Sarah Elizabeth Hamer, Elizabeth Annie Hopper, Catherine Jernian, Emma Jones, Marie Elizabeth Kinsey, Mary Arm Shone ; and from the parish of Dylife, Mary Williams. There was a large congregation, and the service "Was very reverently and beautifully rendered through¬ out, and was most impressive. The Bishop as usual sat in a chair at the chancel step during the actual laying on of hands, the candidates kneeling before "ittt in twos and threes. Some prefer the old custom according to which the candidates knelt at the Sanctuary rail, the Bishop moving along from one to the other, but to us the new fashion seems infinitely more solemn and dignified. The Bishop, who is at present busily engaged in seeing his new Welsh hymn book through the press, stayed at Penstrowed with the Hector, who is one of his chief coadjutors, driving over in the morning and returning in the evening, after having had lunch and tea at the Vicarag-e. The Garden Sale of Work took place at the Vicarage on July 31st, and proved successful beyond all expectation. It had been originally fixed for July 10th, but as the country was then in the throes of a general election, a liberal meeting being actually announced for that day at Llanidloes, the Vicar thought it wiser to postpone it. It so happened that the 10th was a lovely day in every respect, while the above mentioned meeting did not come off, and every one went about saying what a pity the Sale was postponed. As time went on, and the weather broke, and each day grew wetter than, the last, the poor Vicar's face always somewhat melancholy,. grew gloomier and gloomier. But to the astonishment of everybody, Wednesday, July 31st, opened brightly an:l though it after grew duller it never rained throughout the day. The Vicarage was astir from early morning with the preparations, and Mr. Roberts directed the energies of a band of busy workers, among whom Messrs. E. D. Davies, L. M. Jones, Harry Webb, and J. & F. Kerr, may be mentioned as especially conspicuous. When the gate was opened at 3 p m. and visitors began to arrive, they were greeted below the tennis court by the smiling face of Aunt Sally (whose charms we hear had been enhanced by the art of Mr. R. Jerman), and by the legend extending across the path " Success to the National Schools " the work of Miss Kerr, while a little further on they were arrested by a stall of tin? typically useful, and ornamental kind, at which Mrs, Jones and Miss Ikin played the part of brigands. The other stall—placed on the