son of Rees and Mary Jones, and was born May 4th, 1826, at Penywern, Abergwesyn, S. W., where his ances. tors had been living for many generations. Although his parents were in humble circumstances, he obtained in early life a fair education in the common English branches. He was deeply impressed in his religious convictions and experience during the great revival of 1840, and united with Moriah church at Abergwesyn, where also in February, 1844, he commenced to preach the gospel. For the next three years, while residing at Frwdy-fal, Llandeilo, and Llanover, he devoted his leisure time to improve himself by a course of studies, and in 1847 he entered Brecon College, where, for four years, he specially prepared for the Christian ministry. On the completion of his college course in 1851, he accepted the charge of the church at Rhayader on the Wye, where it was required that he should preach in Welsh and English. While in charge of this church, he was married July 4th, 1855, to his estimable wife, whose maiden name was Miss Ann Jones, and who is a native of Tynant, Bala, N. W. They have had eight children, four of whom survive-a daughter, married and living in California, and three sons, one a minister, the other a doctor, and the third a druggist.

In 1857, Dr. Jones accepted a call to take charge of the church at Penybont-ar-Ogwy, where he remained for two years, and where, also, he publishod a book in Welsh, on "The World before Adam," which had a ready sale and a large number of readers. In 1859, he took charge of Bethesda Congregational Church, at Merthyr, S. W., where his ministry proved very successful, and where, within the space of three months, over 250 persons united with the church on profession of faith under

the influence of the great general revival then prevailing in Wales.

During his ministry at Merthyr, also, he wrote and published several able articles on various topics which appeared in the Berniaid, Y Diwygiwr, and other periodicals. He also published at this time several books in Welsh, entitled, "A Holy Church," "An Active Church," also, "Expository Lectures on the Book of Revelation," which met with a cordial reception, and was widely read. It was at Bethesda, Merthyr, also, on October 10th, 1864, that he first delivered his famous lecture on "Caru, Priodi a Byw," or "Love, Marriage and Living." It was so favorably received that he was requested to deliver it again the following week in the same town, and very soon it became quite popular throughout the Principality, and afterward in America also. lecture has for some time been published, the third edition of it having been recently published at Bala, N.W.

The

In November, 1866, Dr. Jones was invited to take charge of the Welsh Congregational Church at Utica, N. Y., which he accepted, and on May 14th, 1867, arrived in Utica with his family, consisting of his wife and five children. The Congregationalists then had two Welsh churches in Utica, but in 1870 both churches united, with Dr. Jones as their pastor. They sold both of the old church edifices and built their present large and commodious church on Washington St.

While on a visit to California in 1879, Dr. Jones was invited to take charge of the Congregational Church at Petaluma, where he remained four years. In the meantime, the pulpit of his old church at Utica, having become vacant through the lamented death of the pastor, Rev. Watkin B. Joseph, "Y Myfyr," Dr. Jones was again invited to become pastor of the church. Accepting the

call, he resumed his charge in October, 1883, and took charge at the same time of the Welsh church at New York Mills. Both of these churches under his ministry are in a prosperous and flourishing condition. Since his arrival in America, he has also been active in literary work, having published a small commentary on the Epistle of James, also a second edition, revised and enlarged, of his "Commentary on the Book of Revelations," besides many articles on various topics in the Welsh and English periodicals. In closing this brief record of his career which has been remarkably active, useful and prosperous, we hope and pray that his life may be spared for many years to come and be crowned with every blessing.

(For the above sketch and excellent portrait of Dr. Jones we are indebted to the kindness and courtesy of Y Drych, the Welsh weekly newspaper published at Utica, N. Y.)

THE NINETIETH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE WELSH CONGRE-
GATIONAL CHURCH
OF UTICA, N. Y.

"THE DEACONS OF THE CHURCH."

BY REV. W. D. WILLIAMS, DEERFIELD, N. Y.

(Concluded.)

The venerable clergyman, Rev. W. D. Williams, of Deerfield, was assigned to speak on "The Deacons," and no better choice could have been made. Mr. Williams came to America in 1832, in company of about one hundred Welshmen, on the sailing vessel "Carol of Carolton," of New York, making the voyage in five weeks. He commenced to preach when 19 years of age, and was ordained in Deerfield, July, 1833, preaching the gospel for 64 years, and is now one of the oldest clergy

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men with his denomination, if not the oldest in the country. The following deacons were mentioned: Thomas Price, Simon Thomas, John Rees, William Rees, Rees Lewis, Michael Roberts, Wm. Rees, Robt. Perry, Evan Ellis, John R, Jones, John Prosser, Ll. D. Howell, Robert Hughes, Thomas Tennings, Ellis Thomas, Richard Jones, Robert Jones, Ebenezer Lewis, Rowland Williams, Francis Griffiths, John D. Jones, Hophni Davies, Henry Foulkes, and Griffith S. Thomas.

Lewis R. Evans then spoke of the "Precentors." He mentioned the following: William M. Owen, Richard D. Jones, Stephen Davies, John Q. Hughes, John Griffiths, and the present precentor, Evan L. Griffiths. He spoke also of those who had been prominent with the Sunday school, namely: L. D. Howell, John GrifBenjamin F. Lewis, and P. D. Philfiths, Owen Baxter, Ellis Thomas, lips.

The following letter was read from Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, on "The Service of the Church to the cause of Liberty:

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"Your invitation to me to write some words for the Ninetieth Anniversary of your Church, stirs my mind to reminiscenses of my earlier days, and my heart to hallowed memories. When I toddled by my mother's side to the church on Whitesboro street, it was my good fortune to see on his occasional visits, Rev. Robert Everett, who was then a pastor at West Winfield, but aroused my interest because he had christened me, as well as because he was much beloved as well as admired in our family circle. It became my fortune as a lad of twelve, to meet him when he started. the Cenhadwr, first printed at my brother's office, where I set type from the reverend gentleman's manuscript, and began to appreciate his scholar

ship and his intellectual power, which placed him in the very front rank of Welsh clergymen in this country. "You ask from me some reference to the help given by your church to the cause of liberty, and the task is not difficult. The Welsh Annibynwyr, in common with other Congregationalists, are the successors of the Independents who checked the despotism of the Stuarts in Britain, and brought Charles I. to the block. They were the conscience back of Cromwell, and they were the architects of the British commonwealth. Although the Stuarts returned to the throne, and the Episcopal church regained its benefices and its power, the Independents held fast to their faith, aided in the bringing in of William, and they have steadily led in the movement in Great Britain towards more freedom in Church and State. The division of two centuries ago continues. Scotland is Presbyterian, Ireland is mainly Catholic, and England divided, with a preponderance for the Episcopalians; Wales is to a larger degree than either Independent, Nonconformist; and the Established Church there has always been a monstrosity, a minority arrayed against the methods and faith of the majority. The Welsh Annibynwyr have justified their practices, have kept the open Bible, have not wavered in evangelical zeal, and have illustrated pure religion in their homes and families. Whatever laws may say, the Established Church of England is not the church of Wales, and for its disestablishment in the principality, justice cries aloud, and that result cannot be long delayed.

"In all the glorious labors of the Independents in Great Britain, from the struggles of the Puritans under Elizabeth to Protestant alliance in Europe under William, and the schisms which planted New England

and built up the American colonies, the Welsh people did their full share. They have uniformly held the right wing of progress in the British isles, and no equal number of their inhabitants has done more for liberty at home and throughout the world. The movement just well started for home rule in Wales, is natural, and deserves success, for the people of Wales are homogeneous, law-abiding, comparatively free from faction, and abundantly able to manage their own affairs without going to Westminster to be taught. The principality is loyal, and is content with its present share in the control of the empire; but the voice which asks that its own people shall be masters in their purely local concerns will grow louder and stronger until it is heeded and obeyed.

"These signs in Wales serve to show on the home soil the Nonconformist temper, the spirit of liberty have endured. This was the temper which the immigrants which founded your church brought hither. They came while our republic was in its youth, and they cast in their lot with a nation just starting on its career. This was, in 1802, the frontier, and here they were pioneers and architects of civilization. As one of the leading factors in the population, the Welsh people, then even more than now, had an important influence in directing public sentiment at this point in morals and religion and general matters. The love of freedom is instinct in the Welshman, as all the traditions of his race and the poems of his bards and the vitality of his language prove, and he demands it not for himself alone, but for all mankind.

"Nowhere did the protest against American slavery find readier response or more vehement support than here. The Welsh pulpit was

not put to the test whether slaveholders should be admitted to its privileges, but no doubt can exist how it would have been decided. Among English speaking denominations the Congregationalists were throughout the country one of the least tainted by alliance with the peculiar institution, or with apologies for it. The Welsh Annibynwyr were with the adVance guard of those who believed the curse of God was upon the system, and who read in the Scriptures the sure judgments which should root it out in fire and blood.

"Dr. Everett, mild, modest scholar that he was, denounced slavery and the products of slave labor, and the profits extorted from the lash; he spoke not as a politician, but as a Christian, with the energy of a Hebrew prophet, and the irresistible iogic of the divine law. He had not a particle of the time-server about him, and he followed his convictions as the needle keeps true to the pole star. The pastors before him, doubtless, rendered good service, and maintained the independent spirit and methods, as bis successors have done. The larger impress, the directing impulse, it is not too much to say, came from the acute, masterful brain, the clear, skillful, ever-busy pen of Dr. Everett. For length of service in Central New York, for wide influence with voice and pen, in pulpit and in press, there are few men who are to be placed before that "Dyn bach o Dinbych."

He was, however, a prophet rather than a popular leader, and in the first antislavery struggles he occasionally went too fast for all even of his admirers to follow him; and he learned to feel how unwelcome teachings can arouse hostility. This experience was, however, years after he ceased to be a pastor in Utica, and it preceded the period of his widest fame and highest reputation.

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"In his own way Rev. James Griffiths was an efficient pastor, although division came in his day; and Rev. Evan Griffiths, Rev. D. Price, and Rev. Griffith Griffiths continued the worthy succession to the original coming of the present pastor. Under all of them the church was a beacon light of liberty, of loyalty to the government in the great struggle, and of the assertion in public affairs of the highest moral standard, “Bethesda” has taught the lessons of noble citizenship as well as of worthy personal character-the salvation which is present and constant and enduring, for this world as well as for the next.

"May God grant you ability and zeal to maintain in the future the standard which for ninety years the first Congregational church in Utica has held in faith and practice in the religion which ennobles life here and insures immortality.

ELLIS H. ROBERTS."

Benj. F. Lewis and T. Solomon Griffiths, in short appropriate speeches, gave some reminiscenses. The anthem, "God is our Refuge" was well rendered by the choir, conducted by Evan L. Griffiths. Dr. Jones read a very interesting letter from Rev. Prof. Edward D. Morris, D. D., Lane Seminary, Cincinnati. Dr. Morris' mother was a member of Bethesda church, and from the age of fourteen until he prepared for college, he was a regular attendant of the Bethesda Sunday school. And it was in Bethesda church, in 1851, that he preached his first Welsh sermon. Gwilym Brycheiniog beautifully rendered a hymn, accompanied on the harp by Thomas A. Humphreys, and with that the afternoon meeting came to a close.

The evening session opened in the usual manner. Edward H. Jones then read a paper on "Church Edifices," going over the history of the

church in detail. In 1870 the trustees bought a house and lot for $3,500; in 1871 the present church was built at a cost of $21,788.62, and to-day the church is free from debt. An interesting paper was also read on "Plymouth Church," by J. D. Griffiths, in which he said that the church is now eight years old, prospering, and sends her greeting to Bethesda. Mr. Griffith gave the history of the church from its formation.

This closed one of the most interesting meetings, as well as historical. The following delegates were present: Waterville, Robert Williams and David Davies; York Mills, Wm. Rowland and Wm. Roberts; Holland Patent, John Williams.

The present deacons of the church are: Wm. O. Williams, David Anthony, Thos. G. Jones, Wm. W. Williams, Edward H. Jones, David Griffiths and Wm. E. Jones, of Schuyler.

THE WELSH LANGUAGE IN ITS RELATION TO COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY.

BY THE EDITOR.

CLASSIFICATION OF LANGUAGES. We have seen already how languages originate, grow and develop; and also how they change, decay and perish, under the varying conditions and influences of human life. These causes, no doubt, have been in operation in all ages. They have caused the decay and disappearance of many languages, and they have developed and multiplied many others among the tribes and nations of the human race. Languages thus have become so multiplied and so different from each other in many ways that a general classification of them is very difficult. Philologists, however, arrange them in three general classes:

I. Monosyllabic or Isolating.

II. Agglutinative, Incorporating, or Turanian.

III. Inflective, Amalgamating, or Aryan.

I. Monosyllabic or Isolating :These languages are so called because in them words consist of one syllable only. Their words mostly are simple roots, used separately and independently of each other. They have no terminations or grammatical forms of declension or conjugation, nor do they unite together to form compounds. The best known type of this class is Chinese. Such also are the languages spoken in Annam, Siam, and Burmah, in south-eastern Asia.

II. Agglutinative or Incorporating:-These are so called because the separate words and forms denoting the relations which the noun or verb bear to something else are incorporated or glued together in one word or phrase, the new element being always inserted in the middle of the principal word. For instance, the Turkish verb to love is sev-mek, but the verb to rejoice, derived from sev-mek, is sev-in-mek, to cause to rejoice is sevin-dir-mek, and so on, the whole combination forming only one word. Such are the old Accadian. Turkish and the languages of the Nomadic tribes in Central Asia, the Indians of North America, and of some nationalities in eastern Europe. These languages are also sometimes called Turanian, from the ethnological relations of the principal tribes and nations among whom they are spoken.

III. Inflective, Aryan, or amalgamating:-The languages of this class generally express the grammatical relations of words and ideas by inflectional terminations or forms appended to the roots of words, such as are found in the declension of nouns and conjugation of verbs and in the formation of words generally. These also are called Aryan or Indo