1879

The architect is Mr. Peter Price, of Cardiff, and the whole of the expense of drawing the plans has been most generously defrayed by Mr. D. Lewis, mayor of Cardiff. Amongst others, we noticed the following on the platform:—Revs. T. Rees, D.D., Swansea; T. J. Morris, L. Beynon, J. N. Richards, Wm. Jones (Moylgrove), W. Jones (C.M.), Seth Jones (B.), T. Phillips (B.), Messrs. R. E. Rees, M. A. Stephens, Levi James, Lewis Evans, W. Morgan, D. M. Palmer, B. A., J. M. Jones, Alderman Edwards, O. B. Evans, James Williams, William James and J. R. Daniel, together with a large number of ladies. The Rev. L. Beynon (pastor of the church), gave out the 881st hymn in the Congregational Hymn Book, commencing with This stone to Thee in faith we lay, We build the temple, Lord, to Thee,” &c., which was heartily sung to the tune “Boston.” Then the Rev. Dr. Rees read the 122nd Psalm, and engaged in prayer for God’s blessing on the work they were engaged in.

The devotional service being over, Mr. Levi James, on behalf of the Church and committee, presented Mr. D. Davies, M.P., with a box, containing a beautiful silver trowel (bearing a suitable inscription), and a mallet, wherewith to lay the foundation stone, remarking that the trowel and mallet were symbolical of architecture, and their worthy member was a good architect, having builded his own fortune, both worldly and heavenly, and hoped that he would enjoy a long life to do good in this world, as lie was prone to do, and at the end have an abundant entry into the kingdom of heaven. Mr. Davies thanked Mr. James for the handsome present they had given him, and asked the adults to allow the children to come forward so as to see the stone being laid. He would guarantee that he would lay the stone solid, plumb, and square, as he had had plenty of experience. The ceremony being over, Mr. Davies declared the stone well and truly laid, as promised by him, and gave as a reason for the time taken to do so, that he had to insert a bottle in the stone, containing the history of the Church in Cardigan, together with a copy of the Tyst a’r Dydd newspaper, and some coins of the realm they should not infer that the delay was caused by his clumsyness (laughter). He hoped every stone in the building would be laid as truly as he had laid his, and that every part of the work would be carried out so thoroughly… He then dwelt upon the necessity of assisting the friends with contributions, as is the custom on occasions of this kind… When he promised to come and lay the foundation stone, he was under the impression that it was a Welsh Independent Chapel, but after coming to town he found that it belonged to the English friends, who, as a rule, are very liberal. He was glad to learn that the Welsh brethren were acting so liberally towards their English friends in Cardigan, as they needed their assistance; so that if the predictions of some people were correct, when the Welsh would become weak and the English strong, they would be supported by the English friends retaliated for the kindness they had received. One of his workmen told him that the Welsh language would not die out as long as he would live (laughter.) However about that, he trusted all would do their utmost to assist by contributing liberally towards the building fund. Unless the debt is cleared off the chapel, the pastor would have to suffer in his salary, as, no doubt, the interest on the debt would be deducted from it. He should like to hear that all the debt was cleared off on the opening day. He then remarked in a very witty manner that if they wanted two new sermons every Sunday, they should pay the minister well, so as to release him from all wordly troubles. If they did that, that would insure them good ministry, provided the minister was worth anything, The Welsh people as a rule were full of fervour, and contributed liberally towards supporting religion. The Welsh Calvinistic Methodists paid their ministers from £100 to £600 a year, and money lent upon their chapels was considers as safe as consols. He reminded all present, whether they intended to have any benefit from the English Chapel or not, to bear in mind that by contributing towards the building fund, they were lending to God. The house of God ought to be made as comfortable and as good as any other house, as comfort wag. a great assistance to worship God rightly. Towards assisting the friends to build their new chapel he would gladly give a cheque for £100, the same amount as he gave to all small chapels but to large chapels he gave £200. He made it a rule to fill in the cheque before he started from home, for fear that he would, when warmed up, be induced to fill in a larger sum (laughter). Mr. Davies then called upon the Rev. L. Beynon to read the Following history of the Church, which was put in the bottle and sealed:

THE ENGLISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, CARDIGAN. This Church was for many years the only English Nonconformist place of worship in the county. It was formed about the year 1836, principally through the exertions of the late Mr. Lloyd, who desired to provide for the religious welfare of a large number of English workpeople then employed by him. For the period during which Mr. Lloyd continued in business the attendance was large, and the cause successful; but when he retired, and his workpeople dispersed to other localities, the Church found itself much reduced in numbers. Another cause of weakness which arose about this time, was the fact that the lease of the ground upon which the building was erected expired, and this necessitated the purchase of the freehold to retain it. This was done in the year 1859, with the aid of sympathising friends. Under these circumstances, the Church became disheartened, for it was found difficult to raise sufficient funds to meet necessary expenses, and it could not afford to maintain a pastor, consequently, for several years, it had to depend upon such assistance in the way of supplies as could be rendered by neighbouring ministers. The Congregational County Association then came to its aid by voting an annual sum, and the Church was enabled to meet its long felt need.

The pastors have been The Reverends David Phillips, Richard Handcock, Robert Breeze, David Jones, John Newman Richards, and Lewis Beynon (the present minister). For some years it has been felt that the situation of Hope Chapel is seriously detrimental to the prosperity of the cause. The building also is in great need of renovation. These considerations, together with the rapid progress of the English language, have caused the friends to feel it advisable to remove to a more central position. Recently, a freehold site, in the principal street of the town, was secured, and on this the present erection has been commenced. The Church relies upon the blessing of God, and the kind aid of friends outside their own community to be enabled to meet an outlay much beyond their unassisted power, therefore, with anxiety and yet with confidence we this day lay the foundation of our new sanctuary, praying That He that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,” may “establish the work of our hands,” and may this place be ever glorified with the bright Shekinah cloud that all assembling here may be led to exclaim This is none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven.”

The Building Committee consists of the following gentlemen Mr. Levi James (chairman and treasurer), Rev. Lewis Beynon, Messrs. D. M. Palmer, M. A. Stephens (secretary), O. P. Davies, Lewis Evans, J. M. Jones, W. Morgan, and O. B. Evans. These walls we to Thine honour raise, Long may they echo with thy praise; And Thou, descending, fill the place With choicest tokens of thy grace. Here let the great Redeemer reign, With all the graces of His train While power divine his word attends To conquer foes, and cheer his friends. And in the great decisive day, When God the nations shall survey, May it before the world appear, Many were born to glory here.—Newton.

Dr. Rees then made some few pertinent remarks, exorting all present to follow the hon. member for the Borough in his liberality towards all religious causes. He felt proud that they had such a good man to represent them in Parliament. The English had their Samuel Morley, and the Welsh their David Davies. Young Wales was fast drifting into the use of the English language, consequently English places of worship would have to be provided for them. if they were to receive religious instruction. Welsh and English services in the same chapel had always proved a failure, as one party was sure to drive the other out. He was glad to see so many Welsh friends come together on the present occasion, and hoped that they would liberally support the English cause.

The following cheques were then placed on the stone: Mr. D. Davies, M.P., £100 (Mr. Davies having previously sent a donation of £15 in answer to an appeal, which makes a total of £ 115). Mr Samuel Morley, £10 Mrs. and Mr. Davies Confectioners, £ 15; Capt. David Timothy, of the Ship Star of Brunswick (forwarded from Calcutta, per Mr. W m. James, Ironmonger), £ 5; Mr. J. Lewis I William-street, £2.28. The sum realised was £ 132 2s. The Rev. T. J. Morris, Capel Mair, concluded with prayer, in Welsh.

THE LECTURE. At 7 p.m., the Rev. Dr. Rees, delivered his excellent lecture on “The Religious Revivals in Wales,” to a very large audience in the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, kindly lent for the occasion. The eminent lecturer gave a graphic description of the religious and moral state of Wales, from some three hundred years ago down to the present day, and the persecutions the old fathers suffered at the hands of clergymen of the Church of England and the magistrates, because they preached the gospel to their fellow countrymen, who were in the fetters of ignorance and superstition. The usual votes of thanks were passed to the lecturer and chairman, and the meeting was brought to a close by the singing of a hymn and the pronouncing of the benediction by Dr. Rees. The lecture was well patronised, and no doubt a good sum was realised.