Welsh Journals

*• MifYmiL Dgqapr nacfjznjE * No. 88. Vol. VIII. APRIL, 1900. Price One Pents ^. THE FABRIC OF THE CHURCH AND ITS SUREOUNDINGS. (continued.) Stained Glass. It is not certain that Stained Class was used before A. 1). 850, hut once it became known, no Church was considered complete unless its windows were filled with it. Before glass was known, windows were filled with thin slices of Alabaster, Vellum, or Horn, richly painted by the Monks, and these paintings suggested glass painting. Much of this Stained Glass was destroyed by the Puritans in the 17th Cen¬ tury, and much from its brittleness has otherwise perished, but some still remains especially in Canterbury Cathedral, and Great Malvern Church, and Shrewsbury. The old Stained Glass may always be recognised by its deep richness of colour especially of blue and ruby. The Stained Glass Windows in Llanidloes and Llangurig Churches, are deservedly very much admired. The Font : from fons—a fountain, is the Vessel which contains the water for Baptism. Before saying anything of the Font, a few words on Holy Baptism may not be out of place. 1st, Holy Baptism should always be administered " Tn the face of the Congregation." The law of the Church plainly fcrbids Baptiam to be administered privately either at home or in the Church, " unless upon a great and reasonable cause." 2nd, It must be administered without fee, aud has nothing to do with registration. Z~d, The Church admits of Baptism by Immersion, but does not encourage it, as not necessary, is often inconvenient, and is sometimes attended with great ri«k. The Font is usually built of Stone and placed near the principal entrance to the Church, to symbolize that it is through Baptism that we enter into the Church and body of Christians. Very many of the Fonts now in existence are Norman and are older than many other poitions of the Church. Wooden Fonts are very rare- there is one at Llangyryfon, in Cardigan¬ shire, and another at Llanfair Iscoed, in Monmouthshire. Marble Fonts are of recent date, the finest I have seen is that in Worcester Cathedral. The Font generally consists of the following parts :—(,1) The Bowl, (2,) The Stem, with its architectural capital and base, and (3 ) The Steps The earliest dated Font is at Rinton, in Lincolnshire, A.D, 1405. A glance at the Font as we enter the Church, should remind us of our Baptismal vow, and solemnize our thoughts and fit us for the service we are about to engage in. forwarded to them, either before or after Easter Sunday. LLANIDLOES. EASTER OFFERINGS. The Churchwardens in accordance with the custom of former years again desire that this year's Easter Offerings be given to the Vicar, and hope they "will aniount to a substantial sum. Should any of the congregation be unable to attend the Easter services, the Churchwardens will gladly receive any money David Kinsey, J. M. Palmer, J. Davies-Jenkins, John Davies. Chureh wardens. Once more Holy Week is drawing near, the most solemn week in all the Christian year, and we should be asking ourselves how we mean to spend it, whether in fact we intend to use it at all or let it slip by unnoticed, leaving us behind untouched by its kflu- ence, its association, its teaching. It can scarcely be said that the Church-people of Llanidloes make the use of it they might—at least so fa? as the public worship of the Church is concerned. Two or three at the daily celebration, less than two or three at morning service, and perhaps a score at evensong is about the average of the last few years, and it is surely unworthy of a congregation like ours. There ottght to be more who will make an effort to utilise the season, because they are Christians and want to bs near Christ, bec*use they are Church-people and so will draw near Him by the Church's path. In the hope that he may win some half-a-dozen at least to the eleven o'clock service, the Vicar intends to give a series of addresses or meditations on Holy Communion on the first four days as follows :— Monday—Holy Communion and the Sacrifice on Calvary. Tuesday—Holy Communion as a Sacrifice of Praise. Wednesday—Holy Communion ai a Sacrifice of Prayer and Thanksgiving. Thursday—Holy Communion as a Sacrifice of our¬ selves. He will also give a series at evening service. Monday ( Behold, we go up to Jerusalem. ( Let us go also. Tuesday j How can we know the way ? I I am the way. Wednesday C Follow thou m«. (Lord I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest. Thursday ( Show us the Father. „ ( He who hath seen ate hath seen the Father