The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-11-08
Religion in Wales.

A correspondent of the Me,o York Times, travel
ling in Wales, says:
"The Welsh have their own language, litera-
ture, poetry, music, customs and costumes all but
their country, and that perhaps, they possess
more fully than during the centuries they were
perpetually fighting about it. The mountains and
valleys OF Wales are here, and no one disturbs the
Welsh in their possession. [ do not know of a
single grievance, except the Established Church.
and that is more sentimental than practical, since
they have perfect liberty to be DsseDters Judge
that three-fourths of the people of this section of
Wales go to chapel rather than to church. They
are chiefly independents Weseyans and Baptists.
There is also Roman Catholic mission at Aber
vstwth, established by the invalid Bishop of Maui
ritius He has a small chapel in his house, where
he says mass and administers the sacraments for
few resident Catholics, visitors and miners, por-
ton of whom are Irish. Opposite the window at
which am writing is square, ugly Baptist chap
ell, built when symmetry and beauty of architecture
must have been one of the deadly sns-a sin the
Welsh are remarkably free from. There is little
grave yard on two sides of the chapel. On Sun
day the services began at A. NJ, and were kept
up with little intermssion until 10 p. NJ. about
half the time being devoted to singing, an organ
leading the whole congregation in good, hearty,
harmonious music. The services are all in Welsh
The sermon on Sunday evening was an hour and
half long, rapid fervent, and for the last half hour
running into a rhythmica melody different from
any | ever heard | have been to revival meetings
and camp. meetings, and heard plenty of preaching
set to music but never to so wild and meodious
tune. The Methodists in America seldom get be
yond three notes, the most common interval being
the minor third; but this preacher moduated
through full sixth, using four notes in success
sion often found in the national Welsh melodies.
The effect was very curious. You might have
supposed him descendent of one of the ancient
harpers of Wales singing the deeds of her heroes.
He wanted but his harp to make it quite perfect
The whole scene-preacher and audience wrapped
into such iervor that singing became more natu
raj than ordinary speaking-was revelation of
national character. When he at last concluded
very powerful discourse, of which did not under
stand syllable, the organ pealed in and the whole
congregation joined in hymn"
Mexico continues in state of revolution. Seve-
raj of the States have pronounced against
Juarez, and their troops have gained some victo
ries; but as there seems to be no very great una
nimity of purpose among the various revolving
bodies it is little uncertain whether the move
ments amount to one or to three or four revolu.
tions. Each leader seems to be pulling his own
way, and when we add to the uncertainty thus pro-
duced, the utter untrustworthiness of the several
channels through which our news comes from that
country, it becomes very difficult to form any just
opinion affairs there One point only seems Ger.
tain and that is, that the numberess generals"
in revolt are little better than highwaymen, while
it is by no means an ascertained fact that those
sustaining the Government are very much better.