The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-03-05 00:00:00

THE UVERPOOL STANDARD.

ST. DAVID'S DAY.

Friday last, beir, the anniversary of the patron saint
of Wales, waa celebrated in this town, by the natives of
the principality, with every demonstration of unabated
love and attachment to their language and their country.
The hells of St. Peter's Church sent forth their merry
peals at an early hour, and the streets presented an air of
activity mid joy as the members of the Welsh clubs were
hastening, to their respective lodges.
Tice 120 children, who receive gratuitous education at
the Welsh Charity School in Russell-street, assembled
t ten o'click, and walked in procession to St. David's
Church, in Bri.vnlow-hill, accompanied by many of their
,hencfaotors, and headed by the Rev. B. Morgan, minister
of St. David's Church, the tlev. Wm. Hughes, Welsh
lectur,rr of Sr. Paul's, the Rev. Thos. Harries, and the
Rev. John II ughes, vicar of Llanbadarn Fawr, the
preacher for the day. We were gratified to observe a
much larger attendance at church than on many former
occasions. Prayers were read in the Ancient British lan-
guage by the Rev. B. Morgan, minister of the church;
and a sermon preached by the well-known and highly-
talented incumbent of Aberystwith. The rev. gentleman
took for his text Prov, xix. 2, " That the soul be without
knowledge, it is not good ; " and drew a graphic picture
of man's ignorance in religious matters, as painfully con-
trasting with the wisdom which prevails in reference to
worldly affairs. He then adduced several proofs of man's
disposition to remain in a state of religious ignorance,
and of his inveterate hatred of divine light. The injury
sustained by man through ignorance was also explained
at great length; and from these premises a most convin-
cing inference was drawn in favour of charity schools,
followed by a powerful appeal to all present to support
those, the anniversary of which was that day observed.
The collection after the sermon amounted to upwards of
£lO.
The clergy, patrons, and children then went in proces-
sion to the schools, where the examination of the children
took place; H. R. Sandbach, Esq., presiding. At the
conclusion of the examination, the Chairman feelingly
addressed the children, expressing his warm adthiration
of the manner in which they had gone through it. They
were also addressed by the Rev. Mr. Hughes and the
Rev. Mr. Morgan, after which " God save the Queen"
was sung, and the whole of the children adjourned to an
excellent dinner of beef and bread, which they joyously
discussed in honour of St. David.

-7.7"it7

THE ANCIENT BILITONS' SOCIETY.

The members of this society dined together at Mr. Levi
Williams's, Williamson-street, and sat down about seventy
in number. Mr. Alderman Griffith presided ; and the
afternoon was spent iu the utmost harmony and good
fellowship.. q;:t • ;
3-
THE CAMBRIAN SOCIETY.
The day was also kept by the Cambrian Society, who
celebrated their thirty-eighth anniversary by dining toge-
ther in the large room at the York Hotel, Williamson-
square. About one hundred persons sat down to a
sumptuous provision, which reflected the highest credit
on the worthy host, Mr. Hamer.
The chair was occupied by Mr. Thomas Owen, the
vice-chair by Mr. John Parry, and amongst the company
we noticed J. Evans, Esq., Rev. Benjamin Morgan, Rev.
John Hughes, Rev. Wm. Hughes, Rev. Robert Davies,
R. S. Marsh, Esq., Messrs. W. C. Davies, T. H. H.
Davies, J. Jones, W. Jones, Thomas Hughes, and W.
Duckworth.

After the cloth was removed, the PRESIDENT said the
first was the most important toast of the evening—a toast
which should always be drunk with the greatest enthu-
siasm ; he would therefore give—" Her Majesty the Queen
—a happy and long reign to her." (Three times three.)
Anthem—" God save the Queen."

The PRESIDENT, having called for a bumper, said the
next toast was one peculiarly interesting to them as
Welshmen—it was "The Prince of Wales." (Cheers.)
Welshmen had been always loyal to their sovereign, but
when a Prince of Wales came amongst them they were
still loyal, but it made them think of their own homes and
their natives hills. (Cheers.) He would give them "The
Welshman's hope, the Prince of Wales." (Three times
three, and great enthusiasm.)
Miss Jones, a Welsh harpist, played a beautiful and
appropriate air on the harp.
The PRESIDENT said they had reason to be thankful to
Providence for having so excellent, so amiable, illustrious,
and tslented a prince as husband to our beloved Queen.
(Cheers.) Prince Albert was the patron of the arts, and
the supporter of all that was go,,d in the land. (Cheers.)
He proposed the health of " Prince Albert and the rest
of the Royal Family." (Di unk with three times three.)
Mr. JONES proposed " The health of the Bishop of the
Diocese and the Clergy."
The Rev. B. MORGAN responded in Welsh. He said
he did not think it unbecornin4 to speak to the assembly
in the language of the Ancient Britons, for he was con-
vinced that every one present loved his own tongue.
(Cheers.) The bishop, he considered, was a godly and a
learned man, and the clergy, he trusted, deserved the
thanks of the community. (Cheers.) It was gratifying
to him to see so many Welshmen assembled to commemo-
rate the anniversary of St. David ; indeed, all institutions
which had a good tendency were always pleasing to him,
and he was al ways glad to see them congregate together,
provided they obeyed the laws of Christ; but lie particu-
larly approved of the Cambrian Society, because it had a
tendency to advance an object which was dear to the
heart of every Welshman. (Hear.) sie sanctioned such
societies because they were instrumental in upholding the
ancient British language, for a Welshman was always
warmed when he heard his own native tongue. (Applause.)
Many attempts had been made to put it down, hut they
had hitherto proved useless. As had been said by the old
bard—

Eu hhiith a gadwant,
Eu Ner a folant,
Ei tic a gollant,
Ondgwyllt Walla."
He further sanctioned such societies because they not
only supported their native language, but also the laws of
heaven. (Applause.) He had been much pleased with
the sermon they had heard that morning. He had heard
many eloquent men—he had heard Mr. M'Neile, and
other remarkable preachers--but on no previous occasion
had his feelings been so warmed as by the sermon preached
that morning. (Cheers.) He trusted they would always
have the pleasure of glorifying God in their own language,
that would be the wish of his heart so long as he had
breath ; and he trusted, notwithstanding all the efforts to
put it down, it would still be maintained. (Loud cheers.)
The reverend gentleman concluded by warmly thanking
the company for the compliment paid him.
The Rev. Mr. DAVIES also responded, and in doing
so strongly urged on the society the claims of the Welsh
Lunatic Asylum, which he trusted they would use every
endeavour to raise subscriptions in support of. (Cheers.)
The Rev. Was. HUGHES, Welsh lecturer at St. Paul's,
proposed "The prosperity of the Censbrian society."
He said, that it would not be amiss to repeat in English
Taliasin's prophecy, which the Rev. Mr. Morgan had
given in Welsh,—
" Still shall they chant their Maker's praise,
Still beep their language and their lays ;
But nought of all their old domain
Save Walla's rude and mountain reign."
Some would suppress cur language; once we lose our
. language, our name as a people is gone. Why should we
give up? In its prose it is not inferior to the best
classic writings; in its poetry it is riot surpassed by the
vivid expressions of Horace, the daring sublimity of Ho-
mer, or the rapid excursion;-, of Pindar—a mere sentence
in that language from the pulpit, will do more to edify a
Welshman than a volume of sermons in any other; a
single word in that tongue which he lisped in infancy,
acts like a talisman to wake up the tenderest feelings of
his heart. From his (the speaker) frequent intercourse
with the Welsh in this town, he knew something of their
feelings towards their country and langues,re ; he was sorry
to say there were some in Liverpool who seemed to be
ashamed of their native tongue. It was reported that the
Prince of Wales would be taught the Welsh language, if
this were true, what they lost by the defection of those to
whom he alluded, would be more than counterbalanced
by the accession of royalty ; cne thing he was certain of,
the learned Bishop of St. David's had successfully applied
his brilliant talents to the study of their language. From
circumstances that had lately transpired, they might augur
well for the church in the diocese of that excellent and
conscientious prelate ; good and judicious appointments
were made to the livings in his gift, and the bishop him-
self was able to speak, read, and preach to the people
in their own language. (Tremendous applause.) He
(the speaker) should be very glad if he could say any
thing to encourage them to go on as a society. He had
the highest authority for saying. that it was a good and
a pleasant thing for brethren to dwell together in unity.
How well did a society like theirs tend to work out the
system of charity to their fellow-men, though their indi-
vidual means would not allow them to relieve the dis-
tressed to a great extent ; yet, by contributing their quota
to that society, effectual relief was afforded. A drop of
water would not form a stream, but many drops would.
The benevolent streams of their society had already
cheered the families of the sick, gladdened the hearts of
the poor, and raised the drooping spirits of widows.
Would Liverpool be what it was if it had not been for the
Mersey ? Would its merchants be princes as to wealth,
if it had not been for this celebrated river? How many
a forlorn bark would have beets long ago stranded on the
shores of poverty and destitution, if it had not been for
the Cambrian Society. May you go on flourishing and
cmaayriteyacwh
iimicehm ofsb6nersso pre-eminently in
the development of your society be pos-
tsoesflseoduroisfh. and
charity
tthe Christian character, and which,
according
' to the words of the Apostle, is more durable
and lasting than the other graces. " And now abideth
faith, hope, and charity, these three, the greatest of these
is charity." (Loud applause.)
Mr. JONES, secretary, responded to the toast. He
said that the sum of £3,573 had been paid by the Cam-
brian Society to the sick during the last twelve years, and
£1,462 towards the funeral, or the decent and respectable
interment of their brother countrymen. During the past
year £lO4 had been paid to the sick, sod .£B5 towards the
funerals of members and their wives; and during that
period 74 members, and 45 wives of members, hat died,
and 471 members had been relieved. He concluded by
saying, that if this society were better known, through
the medium of the press, it would be more generally sup.
posted.
Mr. War. JONES, of Dnke-street, after passing a high
compliment on the abilities displayed by the preacher,
proposed his good health, with thanks to him for his
excellent sermon.
The Rev. Mr. HUGHES, of Aberystwitin responded.
' Ile expressed his gratification at being called upon to
visit Liverpool on such an interesting occasion. It had
been his wish for many years to see Liverpool, having

eard so much of it
qcsonted the spr)9;

build

dock:
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given him, who was quite a stranger among them. Two
of their clergy he well knew —the one o❑ his right (Rev.
B. Morgan) and the one on his If ft (Rev. W. Hughes).
He had heard a very favourable account of their labours
in this town. They had been his fellow-labourers, and
had laboured with him faithfully. He could edit them
his sons "as sons with the father they had served with
him in the gospel." (Loud applause.)
The CHAIRMAN here announced that they had just
been honoured with the presence of a deputation from
the Ancient Britons' Society. (Cheers ) He proposed
the health of the deputation, and prosperity to the An-
cient Britons' Society.
Mr. Wm. JONES returned thanks on behalf of the
Ancient Britons' Society, in brief, and, we understand,
appropriate terms, in the Welsh language.
Mr. TOMLINSON proposed the health of the president,
and eulogised the public and private character of that
gentleman, hoping that he would soon cease to be a
bachelor, and have a large and happy family, and die
happy. (Great Cheers, followed by the song of " He's a
jolly good fellow.")
The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks, and proposed
the friends of the Cambrian Society who had honoured
us with their company this evening.
Mr. HUGHES, of Anglesea, returned thanks.
Mr. ELLIS JONES, surgeon, who said he had been con-
nected with Welsh Societies, urged an amalgamation of
the Ancient Britons' Society and the Cambrian Society,
upon the principle that " union was strength."
Mr. E. P. JONES proposed the health of the vice-
president, and in doing so praised the firmness, integrity,
and determination of character by which that gentleman
was generally distinguished. Drunk with great applause.
The Vice-PEEsinENT returned thanks briefly, but ener-
getically.
Mr. WM. JONES, of Duke-street, proposed the health
of the treasurer, Mr. Thomas Hughes, of St. James's-
street.
The TREASURER returned thanks.
Mr. Jonx JONES proposed the healths of the surgeons
of the society—Messrs. Jones and Mar,h.
Mr. MARSH returned thanks for himself and Mr. Jones.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the Secretary,
and mid that he was a gentleman perfectly capable of
discharging his duties. This sentiment was received with
loud cheers.
Mr. JONES, the secretary, in returning thanks, referred
to the extreme poverty which existed in various parts of
Liverpool, and the necessity which existed for supporting
the Cambrian and other societies, whose especial object it
was to put a period to the misery and wretchedness that
pervaded the land.
Mr. W. MORRIS proposed the stewards and the manag-
ing committee.
During the evening several gentlemen enlivened the
company with ancient British airs on the harp, accom-
panying the vocal strains of some worthy bards, and the
eveniug was spent in a very pleasant and exhilarating
manner. The company separated about midnight.

CORRESPONDENCE.